TheFish

New commercial deals should be independent from the ownership, and if they're not they must be assessed to make sure they're fair market value. (So our owners couldn't sponsor our training ground for millions, like Everton's did theirs.) Transfers between clubs who have some kind of linked ownership must be assessed to make sure the fees are fair market value. (so no Watford/Udinese or Man City/NYCFC shenanigans for us and the state owned Saudi league clubs) One member of staff in the technical area at any one time. (brought in to stop Tindall doing what plenty of Assistant Managers have done in the past.) Don't really have a problem with any of them, but they're 100% been brought in because the PL need to close off any shortcuts our ownership could have used.

Last season we really struggled to break through teams that came to sit in and hit us on the break. Hopefully now that we've got a little more quality in the middle of the pitch we should be able to unpick those camped in teams. When we face better sides (like you) who are more positive, we've a better chance of playing in the space.

Like I said to the other lad, the takeover shouldn't have been allowed. But the PL have come up with new rules to slow us down, so why would they help us out with corrupt officiating? There's no conspiracy for us or against you man, it's just incompetence.

Agree with both of those points. I was just making the point that given those rules have been brought in to stymie our progress (which is fine) why then would officials go out of there way to help us out?

If sponsors are not independent, the deal has to be assessed to make sure it's fair market value. (don't care really, just wish it was applied to everyone) Transfers between us and the Saudi owned Saudi clubs have to be assessed to make sure it's fair market value. (Not sure Fabinho, Neves and Henderson moved for 'fair market value', but again, don't really care.) Only one person allowed in the technical area at any one time. (definitely brought in because Tindall drew attention for doing the thing that loads of assistant managers do, it's all a bit silly)

Anyone who still thinks there is some kind of conspiracy against their team needs to grow up, in my opinion. The rules of the Premier League have been changed 3 times already to slow Newcastle's ascent, which is fine and fair enough, why would they then also do all they can to help us in the opening game of the season against Aston Villa? Rather than conspiracy, look instead for incompetence.

The thing for me is that, pretty much everything we've done so far, could have been achieved without being owned by tyrants and despots. Some Ted Boehly figure could have bought us for c£300m, brought in Howe, brought in Ashworth et al. Sold the hope and hype. We've not really gone as wild with the blood money as people confidently predicted, everything has been pretty measured. Every signing, every statement win, any success will have that disquieting asterisk beside it.

Not on the wind up or anything, but from a Newcastle fan's perspective; Before the game I was not looking forward to starting the 23/24 season with a game against Emery's Aston Villa. I was sure you'd be well drilled, have high energy in the press and capitalise on your very good players. I was sure Diaby would score because players you're linked with who end up at a league rival always score against you. I genuinely thought it would end up 2-1 for you or for us. Then Buendia got injured and my prediction weighed a little more in our favour. For about 30 minutes it was pretty even, but when Mings went off injured some of the assurance seemed to leak out of your side. It was a strange game where I think we could have scored a few more, you also had good opportunities (Watkins and Cash particularly). Was livid when Martinez only got a yellow, but on seeing replays I see there was a covering defender so I guess yellow is what the law demands. Although, if Almiron was taken out by a defender with only the keeper to beat that defender would see red, but that an issue with the law, not the application of it. Don't think anything else was particularly controversial, but I don't think the refereeing was up to much. All in all, I get that it's a disappointing way to begin the campaign, but one game won't define your season, especially not the first one. You'll go into the game against Everton angry and looking to put things right as soon as possible. Which you will. You're still going to be competing for the European spots at the end of the season, there's time left in the window to try and strengthen and Unai Emery is too good of a coach to not come up with a way to play to a high standard even if you can't. Hope those who travelled up enjoyed the trip aside from the game.

Supercomputers are used for decoding DNA, or nuclear fusion research. They're not used for predicting football tables. They're just doing recent form, aren't they? I know Newcastle don't have the depth to compete, so I'd be surprised if we finished in the top 4 again.

I don't think anything can be extrapolated from that game lads. It was a friendly where fringe players were given game time, the focus was on fitness, shapes, probably putting a few in the shop window. It's daft to think either side took the game too seriously, or played their full strength team. I mean we started with Anderson, Dubravka, Dummett, and Murphy. None of them would likely be in our first choice 11. Second half we experimented with 5 at the back. It doesn't matter, it's a friendly.

I hope so, even if it's just expanding the 'Top 6' to a 'Top 8'. Just make the league less predictable, y'know?

Aye, I don't know why Howe was playing around with the formation, maybe trying something out, maybe just giving some players more game time, but from what I've heard we didn't have the same understanding we saw last season. Once both teams get a somewhat settled side I'm sure Howe and Emery's teams won't be giving up 3 goals a piece in many games. What's the hopes/expectations from you lot for this season?

Didn't stay up to watch it, and the highlights I've seen don't show much. Happy to see both teams fielding some young lads, sounds like there was plenty of intensity, which is what you'd expect given the managers. Sounds like Elliot Anderson played well, which is great. 20yrs old and has been highly rated since he was a child, hoping Howe is the manager that will take his game onto the next level. Surprised to see Barnes make an appearance. Did Diaby get any minutes? Exciting times for Newcastle and Villa fans; good football, European adventures to come, good managers, good transfer business, disrupting the 'Top 6'. Weird that we were both relegated just 7 years ago. Since then, both endured Steve Bruce for a couple of seasons, both had a takeover, both seem to be heading in the right direction now. Not sure how well Newcastle will cope with European competition, as we don't have a particularly deep squad. But honestly, everyone I've spoken to isn't really bothered about going deep in the CL, and most don't expect us to replicate a top 4 finish this time. I'd personally be happy with top half, not embarrassing ourselves in the CL, and another good cup run.

Really? Best defensive fullback in the league. If you sign him to support Diaby, that's really good business.

I was asking because Diaby doesn't do a whole lot of the defensive side. But Cash is a decent defensive fullback, so you'll be grand.

Who're you lot going to play at Right Back? Young's gone to Everton hasn't he?

Moussa Diaby Scouting Report for Last 365 Days Men's Big 5 Leagues, UCL, UEL | FBref.com Data for you.

Dunno if the two tentacles of the same monster are working together. If they were, wouldn't Newcastle have sold Ryan Fraser, Karl Darlow to some state owned Saudi club for disgustingly inflated prices? Wouldn't we be sorting out loan moves for Benzema, Neves etc.?

As a Newcastle fan I'm disappointed he's not joining us, as a football fan I'm excited to watch him in the top flight. We were quoted £60m+ for him and obviously that fee + his expected wages meant we had no chance of getting him and staying on the right side of FFP. Diaby, Tielemans, Torres... that's some **** business, boys.

I have a lot of sympathy for Spurs fans. Having an owner so misaligned with the fanbase is draining. Managers calling Levy out, players phoning in performances because they don't know what they're supposed to be doing, it's a mess. The obvious solution is for Levy to take a step back and put his faith in a (non-criminal) DoF and have him in place quickly enough to recruit a manager to take charge in the summer break. Sell Kane for £100m+ and either replace him directly or in the aggregate. Do some actual scouting. They've got everything in place, apart from a cogent top to tail strategy

I dunno, Jerry seems to be an agent who cares for his clients.

Oh aye Wilson's definitely on the older side, not sure he's too happy about being usurped by Isak. Dunno if you'd heard that podcast he does with Antonio, but you can definitely sense he hates not starting, especially when he's scoring pretty regularly. If he can get used to not being the main man, he's a great striker to bring off the bench and to share his knowledge with the younger players. He might angle for a move in the summer if he can't move past it.

Guessing you haven't watched us a lot? Isak is outstanding, he's got 10 from 11 starts (0.93 Goals per 90), in his first season in the League, where he's missed half the season through injury. He's an amazing talent, only 23 and if he can avoid injury he's a 20+ goal a season striker, easy. Wilson is a 1 in 2 striker and has been most of his career, he's got 11 from 16 starts this season (0.7 Goals per 90). Bringing in a reluctant Harry Kane would cost a fortune, ruin the wage structure, stymie Isak's progress, ostracise Wilson and wouldn't turn us from a one off CL team into a regular CL team. Man Utd would deliver him trophies, break goal scoring records, and he'd return them to the position of challenging for titles.

Man Utd might want him, but they're apparently keen on Osimhen from Napoli and I doubt they'd want both. He won't be wanted by Newcastle. Too expensive, too old, massive wages, and not a position we're particularly weak.

Think I'll swerve that in favour of feeding myself into a woodchipper, feet first. On the bright side, that shellacking could be a blessing disguise. We've Spurs at St James' on Sunday. I'd imagine that a) Eddie and Tindall will have torn strips off the players for the shitshow at Villa Park, b) First home game since we beat Man Utd at the beginning of April so the fans should blow away any cobwebs the team has left and c) Spurs are such a weird, passive side that despite their World Class players, we should find an easier foe than Emery's team at Villa Park.