I was wrong about him – I will be forever in Eddie Howe’s debt | OneFootball

Newcastle United fans have just seen the 2024/25 Premier League season come to its end.

A season that has proved to be quite magnificent.

As one season ends though, thoughts immediately turn to what comes next, only 11 weeks to go until the 2025/26 Premier League kicks off.

An ideal time to get a snapshot of views from Newcastle United fans on their thoughts, both on the season that has just ended AND what is to now follow.

So we sent out questions to a number of regular/irregular contributors to The Mag.

Next up answering the questions we have Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey:

Have you at any point during his time at Newcastle United, thought that Eddie Howe’s position should be under question?

Yes!

And I still can’t believe that I did. It was around the time we were languishing in mid-table.

I was wrong about him when he arrived (would have preferred Emery at the time) and I was so wrong about him last autumn.

No longer. The bloke can do no wrong in my eyes and I will be forever in his debt for landing us that trophy.

Three words to describe how you currently feel as a Newcastle fan?

Proud, optimistic, fulfilled

Three words to describe Newcastle United now?

On our way

Does 2024/25 now rank as your favourite ever Newcastle United season?

Daft question. Next…

Seriously, not just for the obvious standout moments – winning our first major domestic trophy for 70 years and gaining Champions League qualification again, but the curtain raiser versus Southampton was special for me on a personal level because it marked the return home of my son who’d spent the previous four months on a container ship, alternating between the Far East and North America. It was touch and go whether he’d get back in time but he did and we had a marvellous day, despite the theatrics of Ben Brereton Diaz.

Which are your three favourite previous NUFC seasons (before 2024/25) and why?

1983/84 – I’ve written about this season previously for The Mag. King Kev getting us up and being whisked away in a helicopter after his testimonial. Winning at Maine Road in my first ever away match and getting the point we needed to seal promotion on a crazy afternoon at Leeds Road. A special time. Great memories.

1984/85 – which was the following season, a season that offers some other great memories. Winning at Leicester on the opening day, top of the table after 3 games before being brought back down to earth, losing 0-7 on aggregate to Arsenal (midweek) then Man Utd. Some more great trips that season, the 5-5 at Loftus Road, hitching to the Dell, Spurs when Waddler scored for us, Upton Park when the old bill moved us on because the ICF ‘were at the top of the road’, and more or less relegating the mackems when we stormed the Fulwell on Easter Monday, amongst the highlights.

2022/23 – Champions League qualification secured for the first time in twenty years and a Wembley final. Five goals in the opening 18 minutes at home to Spurs and an Alex Isak wonder run to set up Murphy when we won at Goodison Park spring to mind. Oh, and buying my then under age son a pint in the Bridge after the goalless draw with Leicester in our last home match.

Talk us through how it was for you, on the last day of the 2024/25 season (Your emotions, how it all played out, where you were watching it (at SJP or wherever), who you shared it with?

Not great. The performance was poor and I had some family business to attend to later that night. Clearly delighted we got over the line and into the Champions League of course.

In order, which eight players have been most influential across the 2024/25 season?

Isak (scored the winning goal at Wembley), Guimaraes (captained us that day), Burn (scored the opener), Tonali, Joelinton, Pope, Trippier and Murphy

Gordon, Hall, Schar and Livramento all narrowly miss out.

What are your thoughts on Newcastle United Sporting Director Paul Mitchell leaving?

Surprised, yet not surprised. I’m not sure it’s such a big deal, other than the fact it’s happened probably tells you what you need to know about Eddie’s position within the club.

Sunderland are now back in the same division as NUFC, your thoughts?

Bring it on!

It was men against boys at the SoL in the FA Cup last year and whilst I appreciate league games could be different, I don’t think they should concern us in the slightest.

What would represent success in the 2025/26 season for Newcastle United?

Winning the Europa League had we qualified!

Another trophy (the FA Cup please, so we can celebrate in the sun) and another Champions League place.

I appreciate I’m not asking for much!

What do you see as the minimum to achieve this coming season?

Qualifying for the Europa League and losing a cup final would be a massive disappointment if I’m being honest.

Predict the top six in the Premier League (in order) and which three clubs will be relegated.

Liverpool Newcastle Man City Chelsea Arsenal Aston Villa ————- Wolves Burnley Sunderland

Name a Newcastle player who you think could be a massive surprise success this coming season, doing far better than most fans expect.

Joan Garcia

Who do you see as the six most important current Newcastle players (in order) for next (2025/26) season?

Isak, Tonali, Guimaraes, Gordon, Hall, Joelinton

With NUFC now having won a trophy…Next three seasons, would you rather finish top four all three seasons BUT win nothing, or finish mid-table all three seasons AND win the League Cup in one of the three?

Not this ‘either or’ chestnut again!

Winning trophies is what it’s all about. I’ll leave it at that…..

What do you think was the key moment in the 2024/25 season, the turning point maybe, which then set us eventually on track to success?

Was it when Eddie finally decided where to play Tonali? Or was it when the final whistle went at Wembley?

If Newcastle United had ended up outside the Champions League places on the final day, would this last season have had a bit of failure attached to it?

Not at all. Landing that trophy was phenomenal – NUFC are winners again, at long last.

Which players do you think would be ideal (and realistic) signings this summer (don’t feel limited to only players who have been linked to Newcastle United in the media)?

Joan Garcia, Meuemo, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Any Newcastle players you would be ok with leaving, that might surprise other NUFC fans (Including any where you think the money received for them and the extra PSR flexibility it would give, could then lead to an overall better team/squad)