Football 2025-26

[kaosmark2]

On 09/10/2025 at 09:17, thetime said:

Perhaps getting a little over excited,  on a win against a team thats won 1 in 10. 

 

There should of been serious questions, if you didn't win comfortably at home against Forest. Newcastle have got 2 league wins,  from teams that have 1 win in 14 league games combined. 

 

Still big question marks on Newcastle, im surprised more questions are not being asked. Or perhaps Eddie Howe is getting an easy ride, due to being English. 

 

Howe's getting an easy ride from our fanbase due to winning a cup last season and qualifying for the CL in 2 out of 3 of the last seasons. Add in working the summer without a board/DoF to help with transfers and playing the first few games without a striker, and fans are sympathetic over a slow start.

 

Last minute home losses to all of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barca are gutting, but more because of the last minute and that we were actually in those games (though we got massively outplayed by Arsenal). Bournemouth away has been a horrendous fixture for us for years, so getting an ugly 0-0 there is generally seen as a positive. The goalless draw at Villa looked better at the time than in retrospect, with Villa looking a shadow of the team of last season in more than our game, but supposedly we dominated possession and chances, just no striker. Not scoring at Leeds and only drawing there is the big disappointment in terms of results, but again, no striker.

 

As Charlie said, the current run of games all look winnable, and while I'd expect to slip up in one or two of them (all comps), if it's more than that there'll start to be a bit more questions.

[thetime]

16 minutes ago, kaosmark2 said:

 

Howe's getting an easy ride from our fanbase due to winning a cup last season and qualifying for the CL in 2 out of 3 of the last seasons. 

 

I was thinking more about the media, rather than fans. 

[49Lawson]

1 hour ago, kaosmark2 said:

Last minute home losses to all of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barca are gutting, but more because of the last minute and that we were actually in those games

It's really putting me about that you've roped Marcus Rashford putting Barcelona 2-0 up in the 67th minute as a last minute loss here

[kaosmark2]

1 hour ago, thetime said:

I was thinking more about the media, rather than fans. 

The media have been able to enjoy Potter, Nuno, Ange, Amorim. I'd arguably say Emery being ignored by media is more surprising than Howe.

 

43 minutes ago, 49Lawson said:

It's really putting me about that you've roped Marcus Rashford putting Barcelona 2-0 up in the 67th minute as a last minute loss here

True enough, that's my bad framing. We scored the late goal there and it didn't really give us much of a chance. Still a better and closer game than I'd expected - better finishing first half and we might've made a game of it.

[thetime]

46 minutes ago, kaosmark2 said:

I'd arguably say Emery being ignored by media is more surprising than Howe.

 

 

 

Similar to howe due to sales, but slightly different. Villa have a -20m net spend last 2 seasons. Villa just been bitten, by the selling to many players. 

 

Not much more Emery could do really. Whilst Newcastle fans would argue selling Isak, has given them more squad depth. 

 

I'd still expect Newcastle to be around 6th - 9th come May. 

Edited October 10, 2025 by thetime

[charlierc]

On 10/10/2025 at 14:10, kaosmark2 said:

The media have been able to enjoy Potter, Nuno, Ange, Amorim. I'd arguably say Emery being ignored by media is more surprising than Howe.

 

There was a moment when it looked like questions were starting to be asked of Emery, particularly after a really poor performance at Sunderland where they were arguably second best to a team with 10 men. But since then, they've made a great start in the Europa League and began winning PL games.

 

Could well be that they had an issue with wantaway players like Emi Martinez or Morgan Rogers sulking at first that they were still there, but they've now decided "Might as well get on with it". Least that's what I've heard from Villa fans.

[charlierc]

On 10/10/2025 at 14:56, thetime said:

I'd still expect Newcastle to be around 6th - 9th come May. 

Tbf, this is in line with my expectations. I was being slightly more positive - the P5-8 range - but that's more or less in line with it.

 

Long way to go ofc.

[thetime]

I don't watch international football. I have just noticed, that Faroe Islands are 1 win from the World Cup. That would be remarkable. 

 

Slim chance v Croatia,  but a chance. 

[charlierc]

On 12/10/2025 at 19:57, thetime said:

I don't watch international football. I have just noticed, that Faroe Islands are 1 win from the World Cup. That would be remarkable. 

 

Slim chance v Croatia,  but a chance. 

Much as the England games are their usual non-events, there are still some interesting stories knocking about. Cape Verde qualifying for a first ever World Cup is a hell of an achievement, not least given we're talking about a nation smaller than most English counties.

 

Sweden being bottom of their group with no wins despite having a squad that were seen as among the strongest in their group is also quite an impressive debacle. 

[kaosmark2]

3 hours ago, charlierc said:

Sweden being bottom of their group with no wins despite having a squad that were seen as among the strongest in their group is also quite an impressive debacle. 

Is the tie-breaker head to head or goal difference? As if it's head to head they're already out.

[charlierc]

Apparently Trump is trying to threaten to move games from various US cities at next year's World Cup if they don't suck up to him. Whether he has the power to do that unilaterally or at least bully his sycophant Gianni Infantino, guess we'll see.

 

Moving the Olympics from LA, as is also being done as a threat, might be harder given that there's quite a lot an Olympics needs at short notice.

Edited October 16, 2025 by charlierc

[charlierc]

On 14/10/2025 at 23:34, kaosmark2 said:

Is the tie-breaker head to head or goal difference? As if it's head to head they're already out.

Goal difference, apparently.

[charlierc]

On 14/10/2025 at 23:34, kaosmark2 said:

Is the tie-breaker head to head or goal difference? As if it's head to head they're already out.

... Although it turns out the already quite convoluted sounding playoffs would potentially include Sweden due to their Nations League performance. Something I'd clearly forgot about but which feels curious they get such a route out from such a debacle.

[pink_triangle]

2 hours ago, charlierc said:

... Although it turns out the already quite convoluted sounding playoffs would potentially include Sweden due to their Nations League performance. Something I'd clearly forgot about but which feels curious they get such a route out from such a debacle.

They need to get rid of this nations league back door entry. I say that as a Wales fan one of the countries who is going to benefit from it. The fact we went into the group knowing we could lose every game 5-0 and still almost certainly get a play off position is ridiculous. Even more ridiculous is San Marino are going into a game with Romania where they will benefit from a heavy loss. Any system that can incentivise a team losing is clearly flawed.

 

The Wales game also confirmed another thing that need to change is the handball rule. We are now moving to a game which incentivises aiming the ball at a players arm than toward the goal.

[charlierc]

23 minutes ago, pink_triangle said:

They need to get rid of this nations league back door entry. I say that as a Wales fan one of the countries who is going to benefit from it. The fact we went into the group knowing we could lose every game 5-0 and still almost certainly get a play off position is ridiculous. Even more ridiculous is San Marino are going into a game with Romania where they will benefit from a heavy loss. Any system that can incentivise a team losing is clearly flawed.

 

The Wales game also confirmed another thing that need to change is the handball rule. We are now moving to a game which incentivises aiming the ball at a players arm than toward the goal.

It does seem like they've gone from something that's a neat idea on paper to a sprawling mess, yeah. 

 

Apparently UEFA's latest attention seeking move is to considering replacing it with the format they now use for the Champions League. Seems like they change ideas every qualification cycle on what to do, mind.

[charlierc]

Postecoglu at Forest didn't work out then huh. It's tricky to see anyone to blame but the bloke owning Forest though - his choice to bring in a sporting director and a player recruitment philosophy that Nuno clearly didn't agree with, make such a drastic pivot in style then give him a record breaking short stint to try and do such a transformation.

 

Clearly decided to lead with that rather than bring up what the mob I support got up to. Just the classic Brighton away misfortune, especially given Welbeck seems to love scoring against us.

[kaosmark2]

1 hour ago, charlierc said:

Postecoglu at Forest didn't work out then huh. It's tricky to see anyone to blame but the bloke owning Forest though - his choice to bring in a sporting director and a player recruitment philosophy that Nuno clearly didn't agree with, make such a drastic pivot in style then give him a record breaking short stint to try and do such a transformation.

 

Clearly decided to lead with that rather than bring up what the mob I support got up to. Just the classic Brighton away misfortune, especially given Welbeck seems to love scoring against us.

2-1 with a late Welbeck goal seems to be a tiresome habit in that fixture.

 

I do feel sorry for Ange though, I've got questions about how good a manager he is, but this was an almost unmanageable situation. Fans loving the last manager, squad very unsuited to what he's done before, coming in just after the window, etc etc. New manager is going to be going into a tough situation as well, and without an international break to make plans. 

[pink_triangle]

21 minutes ago, kaosmark2 said:

2-1 with a late Welbeck goal seems to be a tiresome habit in that fixture.

 

I do feel sorry for Ange though, I've got questions about how good a manager he is, but this was an almost unmanageable situation. Fans loving the last manager, squad very unsuited to what he's done before, coming in just after the window, etc etc. New manager is going to be going into a tough situation as well, and without an international break to make plans. 

Yes it was a really strange choice and one that you need to make in May/June for it to have a chance of working. At the same time he is going to get a good pay off for a months job, good work if you can get it!

[kaosmark2]

13 minutes ago, pink_triangle said:

Yes it was a really strange choice and one that you need to make in May/June for it to have a chance of working. At the same time he is going to get a good pay off for a months job, good work if you can get it!

It sorta feels like Marinakis must have some idea of a manager half-lined up, but I do wonder who will want the job. I guess as you say, there'll be a good payout regardless.

[charlierc]

8 hours ago, kaosmark2 said:

It sorta feels like Marinakis must have some idea of a manager half-lined up, but I do wonder who will want the job. I guess as you say, there'll be a good payout regardless.

Crystal Palace fans were saying it was predictable that Everton would end their unbeaten run and tick. Everyone just has an inexplicable bogey club. Although unhelpfully our next PL opponents are Fulham, who beat us home and away last season. Got to do better against them, or at least get a dodgy VAR call as Fulham seem to get those a lot. 

 

Speaking of Palace, their game against Bournemouth yesterday looked quite tremendous.

 

Anyway, Ange. Clearly he wanted to prove himself quickly after the strange dissonance of his Europa League win and Premier League disaster last season. But like you say, Forest was a bad choice for him as much as he wasn't a great choice for them. Early rumour is Sean Dyche is the likely candidate, so probably a reversion to the way they were doing it under Nuno, maybe even more defensive judging by his Everton side and the way they couldn't score goals before he left last season. 

[kaosmark2]

2 hours ago, charlierc said:

Crystal Palace fans were saying it was predictable that Everton would end their unbeaten run and tick. Everyone just has an inexplicable bogey club. Although unhelpfully our next PL opponents are Fulham, who beat us home and away last season. Got to do better against them, or at least get a dodgy VAR call as Fulham seem to get those a lot. 

 

Speaking of Palace, their game against Bournemouth yesterday looked quite tremendous.

 

Anyway, Ange. Clearly he wanted to prove himself quickly after the strange dissonance of his Europa League win and Premier League disaster last season. But like you say, Forest was a bad choice for him as much as he wasn't a great choice for them. Early rumour is Sean Dyche is the likely candidate, so probably a reversion to the way they were doing it under Nuno, maybe even more defensive judging by his Everton side and the way they couldn't score goals before he left last season. 

Guardian reporting Marco Silva is who Marinakis wants, which definitely feels better than Dyche? Dyche would be a strange one, as while I think he's a decent manager, it does feel like settling for bottom half at best? And Marinakis is clearly ambitious.

[charlierc]

1 hour ago, kaosmark2 said:

Guardian reporting Marco Silva is who Marinakis wants, which definitely feels better than Dyche? Dyche would be a strange one, as while I think he's a decent manager, it does feel like settling for bottom half at best? And Marinakis is clearly ambitious.

Interesting. I'd heard Sean Dyche and in a slightly more left-field move Roberto Mancini were targets.

 

Admittedly I would be ok with Silva in a short-term sense as it would give Fulham a big unwanted headache ahead of coming to SJP next weekend given he is a manager with a decent record against us. The fact he's out of contract in the summer is also an interesting one. I suspect Fulham would throw a huge new contract at him, mind. Also the Guardian article says they'd have to pay a £13mil clause, which - would they want to do that?

[charlierc]

Huh... Man Utd winning at Anfield wasn't exactly expected. Good for them.

 

I'm aware as a Newcastle fan that we'll be accused of having an anti-Isak agenda due to pouting over how he left us but he's yet to really have a moment at Liverpool to justify the hullabaloo that deal caused. Admittedly, having watched the game, Konate, van Dijk and Salah also didn't impress. Gakpo was perhaps the most unlucky given he hit the woodwork 3 times and missed a really good chance to make it 2-2.

[kaosmark2]

7 hours ago, charlierc said:

Interesting. I'd heard Sean Dyche and in a slightly more left-field move Roberto Mancini were targets.

 

Admittedly I would be ok with Silva in a short-term sense as it would give Fulham a big unwanted headache ahead of coming to SJP next weekend given he is a manager with a decent record against us. The fact he's out of contract in the summer is also an interesting one. I suspect Fulham would throw a huge new contract at him, mind. Also the Guardian article says they'd have to pay a £13mil clause, which - would they want to do that?

Loads of managers will probably get linked. We'll see what actually happens. I think with Silva it'd be a big money throw between paying Fulham off and him demanding quite a hefty signing-on bonus or payoff if he gets fired.

 

41 minutes ago, charlierc said:

Huh... Man Utd winning at Anfield wasn't exactly expected. Good for them.

 

I'm aware as a Newcastle fan that we'll be accused of having an anti-Isak agenda due to pouting over how he left us but he's yet to really have a moment at Liverpool to justify the hullabaloo that deal caused. Admittedly, having watched the game, Konate, van Dijk and Salah also didn't impress. Gakpo was perhaps the most unlucky given he hit the woodwork 3 times and missed a really good chance to make it 2-2.

I'm not all ashamed of having an anti-Isak agenda. Most of the time when players move on I wish them well. Not this time. I've only watched a couple of Liverpool games this season, but I'm thoroughly enjoying their bad current form.

[Punksnotdead]

57 minutes ago, charlierc said:

Huh... Man Utd winning at Anfield wasn't exactly expected. Good for them.

 

I'm aware as a Newcastle fan that we'll be accused of having an anti-Isak agenda due to pouting over how he left us but he's yet to really have a moment at Liverpool to justify the hullabaloo that deal caused. Admittedly, having watched the game, Konate, van Dijk and Salah also didn't impress. Gakpo was perhaps the most unlucky given he hit the woodwork 3 times and missed a really good chance to make it 2-2.

Absolutely delighted tonight but I'm not kidding myself that we're suddenly a great team - we could easily have lost comfortably - indeed, the post was probably our man of the match! 🤣 Definitely better signs up front for us this season but we still look dodgy in midfield and at the back (although our goalie looks like an upgrade on the 2 other clowns we've had between the sticks).