Letters to The Mag – Newcastle United fans now having their say on what has gone on… | OneFootball

The opinions continue to flow into The Mag, as Newcastle United fans debate the various issues regarding our club.

With one issue ‘slightly’ overshadowing everything else.

A nice relaxed summer having gone by…

A transfer window now closed.

Newcastle United fans with the latest collection of opinions below.

Contributions are sometimes too brief to make up into a full article and so we have gathered up a number of recent  views sent in, (if you would like to send anything in, long or short, regarding Newcastle United, then contribute@themag.co.uk is the place):

Dear Mag,

Am I alone in thinking that the great managers of the past would consider a player’s personality, as well as ability, before making a bid.

Today it seems those responsible for adding to a playing squad consider statistics above everything.

Would; Shankly Paisley, Dalglish pursue a player who refuses to honour his contract and stops playing for a side?

I think not.

Robert Mason

Dear Mag,

You Newcastle people really think your it you win one trophy and you think your a big club.

2 trophies in 70 years your just a joke.

Jason Potter

Dear Mag,

Just wanted to say thank you for the article which highlighted Newcastle supporters group in New York at Peter Dillon’s on 36th street.

Just back from my holiday to NYC and it was a great place for any Newcastle fan to visit (Strawberry-like as full with NUFC memorabilia), really friendly staff, great prices on beers and an absolutely class atmosphere for the match!

Thanks again and make sure you check it out if in NYC.

All the best.

Mike Mc

Dear Mag,

Monday Morning and we are on our way to Newcastle.

Unexpectedly, as we had missed out on the Ballot but my good mates have pulled a rabbit out of the hat and we have tickets in the Milburn.

Midday and I am offered red stripe on arrival by my mates to celebrate Carnival. Nah I need to pace myself and though I love my son, he is a grass when it comes to how many beers I consume.

It is an eight o’clock kick off on Bank Holiday Monday. Who thought that was a good idea and against the hated Liverpool at that. A shirtless guy starts chanting football songs and pointing at us on Gosforth High Street. My lad says “do you think he thinks we are Scousers?’ No idea but you sense by early afternoon the focal point of the day is building and the atmosphere will be frenzied when kick off comes. So a great day of catch up talk and beers eventually culminates in the main event. The place is rocking. We take our seats and are emersed in the event. A hot and clammy evening adds to the atmosphere.

A superb performance by our boys before and after the red card. And Bruno raging to lift the team. After the Osula goal there was not a sound from the away support. At that point we were believing. Sat with lads I have known for nearly half a century I say thank you for the privilege of witnessing that performance and giving my lad the opportunity to be part of it. The second half turn around by us was incredible at I thought we might even win it. My lad said this really will be embarrassing for them if they can’t beat us. And of course at that point the Scousers robbed us in the last minute.

Greg McPeake

Dear Mag,

It is probably the time to remember how well Newcastle fans can welcome back a goalscoring hero who has left to join another club, after giving them some wonderful memories.

On 3rd September 1930, 68,000 fans, having taken the afternoon off work to be there, crammed into St James’ Park to welcome back Hughie Gallacher, their hero goalscorer who had been transferred to Chelsea during the summer. It was, I was told, a very emotional experience: my father was there.

Michael Slorick

Dear Mag,

The less said about this Alexander Isak saga the better in my opinion. In no other profession would that situation occur. Far too much player power these days. Isak forgets what Eddie Howe did to make him the player he is today.

Selfish, self-centred, and with no regard for the contractual obligations he willingly signed up to.

His agent, Liverpool FC and the media are equally culpable because with their one-sided narrative they have created huge issues for NUFC leaving them to pay over the odds for players. Even professional footballers have expressed disdain at their conduct, and of course, ‘The Septic Six’ will also be revelling at the situation having from the outset done everything in their power to block the sale of NUFC from Ashley to the Saudi PIF.

Newcastle must learn lessons from the entire debacle mindful they are without a CEO and Sporting Director. The structure needs to be urgently addressed because with the best will in the world Eddie Howe simply cannot operate as a one-man band. Historically NUFC had some brilliant success in recruiting outstanding players. Where has that gone wrong? Look further back at what Rafa Benitez did (examples Fabian Schar and Martin Dubravka and numerous others bought at bargain prices). There must surely be people with contacts that can import young exceptional talent across Europe and beyond without paying through the nose.

Alex Waters

Dear Mag,

First a confession, I’m an armchair fan, though I did go to SJP a few times in the late 40s and saw Sir Stan Matthews.

Though Newcastle United had what was then called an outside left called Bobby Mitchell,  who looked just as good to me.

Anyway, I would have made Alexander Isak sit at home, if he would not play for the club he freely signed for.

I know it would have been a loss in lots of ways to the club but it would have shown a resolve that players or agents would think twice about testing in future.