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I think the fear is the ability to replace what you lose with the sale and also improve on the position while at the same time making use of the "profit" to the longer lasting benefit to the side. We seen in the summer how hard that can be while Gordon isnt on the rats level he has still at times been our best attacker/best striker etc The fear is not that I love Gordon and will miss him the fear is the money is wasted and the issues we have before thinking about Gordon arent addressed leaving us weaker in general with more issues to solve. I agree that a big refresh more than what we all expected come the end of last season (I thought it would just be defence to fix in the summer due to the age of trips/burn and schar)

based purely on links it seems the club in general put the squad age as a high priority or is it more to do with trying to find value on those not in peak years on lower fees with room to improve and subsequently increase their value. Barnes/Big Joe/Bruno/pope/murphy come the end of next summer wont exactly be spring chickens in footballing terms we need to strike the balance of course it cant be a team of kids and no leaders but it also cant be an aging and declining/stale squad either. I am torn on Gordon like I am with Tonali or Tino or anyone else sold, we need to sell to buy and improve as those we want to go will go for very little or nothing if we could get good money for willock, pope, BDB, osula and small acceptable losses on elanga/wissa/big nick then it could be enough to go again in the market with the more suitable model of staying away from prem premium. The issue the club has is those players above wont bring big money in or wont attract any interest and a purple/mainstay first 11 needs to be sacrificed, issue is which one? They are all on their day excellent but have also contributed in their own way to our downfall this season. I would probably pick Tino due to him not having any attacking output and injury issues but is that enough? We may end of getting some left field interest on players we don't expect like big joe or Barnes instead I just hope those that are in charge 1 have a plan, 2 have back ups to plan A and 3 are ready for all possibilities not just what they would like to happen it may come down to Gordon not wanting to be here (not proven) and if that's the case then a bad apple being forced to stay doesn't sound appealing either even if he doesn't go full rat.

Agreed however the leaky goals, the build up play, the lack of key cover to LWB/RWB, the shite or declining keepers there are issues all over the place. I honestly don't relish the challenge to improve both quality of the immediate first 11, bringing average age of squad down and try and fix the issues we have all in one window with likely no allure of europe to distinguish between us and other bidding teams. All while looking over your shoulder on players who would go if a good offer came in but not on your immediate plans to sell list.

My favourite quality street when I allowed myself to eat them. Does feel like we trying to bring the age of the squad down and possibly shop in the next price bracket down. Its not without it's risk as mpst will be less seasoned more raw and still developing. Still feel like one of the current strikers get sold to try and bring someone in the 50/60/70m bracket or we spend 50/60m on jackson or delap 😒

Quite alot I would say once the dust settles as we aren't an established elite club having a wobble we are a relatively new project hitting a speed bump at alarming speed *relative to having only won our first trophy and spending 200m+ in an attempt to solidify us as a top 6 contender. Perception of the project to potential new signings Perception of the project to existing players possibly on the fence about staying Pressure on Howe not to repeat this or new manager do better next season Every league place is worth 3 or 4m now so loss of income Lack of europe The intangible stuff appearing to be going backwards,loss of momentum, loss of progress if you believe it should be season on season improvements. All easily forgot if we have a strong end of season good summer and momentum of sorts going into next season.

I think we all recall what we want to in the moment to fit a narrative. I remember years ago on here badly losing a debate over thinking dyer was a lazy piece of shit who badly let the manager down and never lived up to his full potential. I dont have a fixed opinion lazy or not on gordon I like his energy, his pace, his want to take people on, his penalty taking his ability to draw somewhat suspect fouls. He's not our biggest issue or the worse performer either. Being the rats mate lack of open play goals for more than this season and the ability to shine so brightly for us in moments and at times seem to just disappear in others to may makes it seem he can perform at a high level but doesn't at times like it's a switch to turn on. Not saying that's not without factors like the general performance of the team within games or the managers instructions or that he has had to move left, right and central this season sometimes within games. I know I said I wouldn't look but last weekend about a min into this clip he leaves hall alone stays high walks back and they nearly score. https://youtu.be/5w7dsxykU98?si=I6do1v8VAdqWecaE Again not saying it's not instructional from the manager to stay high so we have an outlet to press and counter just annoys me if it is as hall is being pulled centrally and them staying out wide with gordon not there so much free space.

I mean the investment and backing to that reported figure is real though it's over many seasons but we know we have made no significant player sales beyond wood? The rat? Almiron and Kelly? Hes assembled an expensive squad for our current league position but ultimately we still have early takeover players and ashley era players in our regular match day squad so don't know if it can be used as a stick to beat howe with over just more indication that this feels like an end of a cycle/reset needed next due to age of some of the players now. This needs to happen regardless of who is in the dug out though.

It's not pish it happens he's an attacking player it's the opposition job to disrupt and get the ball off him I get that. Not saying he needs to do gut busting runs for 90 mins but I think Howe has said himself he likes 4-3-3 so much because we attack and defend as a team. Highlights to the Everton game here he's not responsible for the second goal but he isn't doing any defending either. I dont have the time or will to fish through more instances but you just have to scan match day threads to see hes had as many sub par games in the last 18 months than good ones. Again not saying none of this isnt instructional but my point is he is very capable as a complete player offensively and defensively but we dont see it all the time.

You haven't seen him stay on the floor while we are being broken on? You haven't seen him fail to track back when attempting to defend as a team? You haven't seen him get given the ball it bounce off his foot and the other team as a result win the ball high up in our half but him not attempt to get the ball back? Not saying none of this isnt instructional from the gaffer at times or him tying to learn from that Liverpool red for rushing in headless chicken style. However we know whens he's at his best he has the engine to do it all but appears to now pick and chose when to do it.

Apologies for the bump my son and daughter have profound disabilities especially my son who turns 8 in May. We first used the Alan shearer centre about 5 years ago having never realising what he had done with his testimonial money. The place is fantastic, wonderful staff and facilities free to use but over stretched resource wise and always short funding. My son loves the hydrotherapy pool as these are rare and those places that do have them want £60+ for 45mins which is out if reach for us. Anyway Alan has started a fundraiser for another pool which could be vital to those who struggle to get a slot currently ( we only get a slot twice a year at best). For those who work with any companies who may wish to help or those generous of you to have a spare few quid I will leave the links below. No pressure even if you share this out on your socials to raise awareness that would be of great help. BBC News - Football Legend Aims to Raise £1m in 12 Months https://share.google/zPyF4xVC9PYK0jJCI The Million Pound Mission - Alan Shearer Foundation https://share.google/kBWLCC3TUiOzEIajK

https://theanalyst.com/articles/newcastle-progress-made-under-eddie-howe

I actually dont mind a mix of both approaches the issue is when all the chips are on a single strategy (many were frustrated how long we waited on Halls introduction likely in part due to his age and experience). We now find ourselves with a summer of "ready made" not very very young in terms of footballing terms signings for massive fees we likely cant peddle due to said fee (all bar Wissa young enough to get better but I dont believe thats what we paid the premiums in them for).

I probably forgot this but interesting quotes from Howe on Howe following Ashworths exit (from March 24): Eddie Howe has been speaking about Andy Howe's position at Newcastle United, revealing the key role he played in a host of recent signings and responding to reports of a promotion. The boss told the press on Friday morning that Andy - his nephew - had a "huge part" to play in the signings of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Harrison Ashby, insisting he's been a "very, very prominent" member of our recruitment team. It was reported last week that Howe junior had been promoted to assistant head of first-team recruitment, seeing him work under Nickson after previously operating as our head of technical scouting. However, Eddie insists that's just a title change, NOT a new role for the former Bournemouth talent-spotter, insisting there's been no change to our transfer team since Dan Ashworth's departure. "So it's been a title change, not a real change." Howe said. "So his role has always been very, very prominent in recruitment. And he obviously joined us when we first came into the club. He came with us." "He's played a huge part in the recruitment of some key players when I look at the role in recruiting Bruno (Guimaraes), Tino (Livramento), Sandro (Tonali), Harrison Ashby, Anthony Gordon. He was absolutely prominent in those key signings for the football club. "So he's, he's done an outstanding job. And as I say, the title change is just recognition really of what he's done. When asked if there's been a reshuffle in our recruitment team, Howe added: "Dan's (Ashworth) exit hasn't changed anything regarding our recruitment processes, how we recruit the methods which we use something that's been totally unaffected." Obviously he's not going into details exactly what it was Andy did in terms of talent ID/Talking to the player etc but clearly the lad has some useful skillset outside of having the same Surname.

I think and I am scared to join the protracted and often frustratingly circular the debate gets at times but I think the debate seems to stem from who to blame for the shit we now find ourselves in and the biggest two issues to me are: recruitment in the summer was poor and has not helped our season recruitment wasn't possible for a few windows due to PSR and the big spend possibly the last big spend we get to make is now been wasted and thus is an extention of Howe argument/debate in the sense is Howe unlucky having a bad hand given to him or being part of the issue/downfall due to his role in getting here.

To be fair the lack of information means we all have to fill the void with assumption to a certain point. Was the summer a continuation of an existing plan executed by whoever was left? Was the summer a new plan constructed by those who remained? Who had final say in the end of who we went for/who we pivoted to? who decided to do the begging meeting to try and persuade the rat? who decided to spend more time on sessko when he seemed keen to go to Manu I feel for those left to handle all the fall out and shite which just stretched all the way through the window and we are never going to know if it was a well constructed thought out plan which hasnt worked or wasnt executed as well due to people stepping into unfamiliar roles or a put together on a fag packet panic which wasn't as well thought out. The long standing and protracted interest in Elanga/Trafford and Thiaw makes you think some of those was in the pipe line regardless who the DOF/SD was.

As a club the one that springs to mind is chelsea who went from 3rd to 12th then back to 6th but obviously not the same manager.

Hope Bruno manages to be fit enough for a sub appearance at least especially now big joe is suspended

Regardless who the manager is I personally now don't think we have the tools i.e players due to either their age and inevitable decline or going back to how they were or not good enough. So regardless of who is in the dug out there needs to be changes made. Issue is does a manager/coach change muddy the water or provide a fresh platform for someone else. May come down to do we want a similar playing style or try again to transition to technical possession based stuff as to how big if a wave to the playing side needs to be made to achieve that.

Strongly agree with this despite how well thought out the pro and con arguement has been debated by some very well intentioned forum members. He could go and move on and excel elsewhere while we appoint the wrong replacement or have another season of transition and change potentially unpicking howes team Or we could back, support and commit to howe and it massively backfire with issues Howe himself has said at times he is either baffled by or these things work themselves out with little to no change. Hope is all we can do whatever the club decides is the right call as the club matters above everything else.

I get you, you ideally want to build and phase out (to our bench) the non performers/contract running down players or move them on. If I could just wave a magic wand We sell Murphy coming into his final year We sell Willock coming into his final year we listen to offers on BDB (age and contract length) We listen to offers on big joe (age, fitness issues and contract length) We listen to offers on pope been shite and coming into final year of contract We already have let go essentially of trips, targett and Lascelles which frees up wages. that list above ideally should be enough to revamp your squad but we know there will be few takers and not a lot in terms of fees for any of them. I don't want to salivate over Gordon/Tonali/Bruno/Barnes/Tino/Hall going for massive fees and making profits as while yes unlike the Ashley years it will all get reinvested your basically ripping out the heart of the squad which already needs work doing to it already I think we may need 5/6 players before any player sales: backup right back backup left back willock replacement/something different in midfield back up RCB (sorry Fabi) 1st choice keeper then depends on the player and the summer if pope goes another keeper if BDB goes and botman form/fitness continues to be an issue then back up LCB if Osula goes striker if someone is mad enough to take wissa another striker then if we did sell or listen to offers on tonali gordon tino hall I just cant see that much upheaval being allowed or happening to be honest we are likely to see 5-7 players come in the summer but they wont all be 40/50m players and some will have to be in more of the risk/gamble category. Based on the clubs comments, our big spend in the summer that didn't work and likely no Europe next season a big sale or 2 is very likely and unless next season instantly goes back on track ( I have my doubts due to the striker situation we find ourselves in its as easy as less games we are fine) this is likely to be the case for the next few seasons to come until we start getting back to back Europe money on top of sponsorships etc.

While I agree those solid performers have in various levels been poor too hence our sub par season. Bruno with his goal output this season has stepped up. Along with Hall continuing good levels when played. Drop offs to tonali, murphy, gordon on left, barnes in prem then followed by mixed performances from burn, botman and big joe mean its a tough decision to make. 1. They have to want to stay. 2. You have to hope this season is a blip and they can return to their levels of last season or season before last. 3. The issue of reinvestment means you can't just peddle your shite and raise enough to rebuild or reshape the squad means your going likely to let go someone who is one of the first names on the team sheet. We must do better with the funds we get from sales easier said than done I know but if your squad is filled with over priced under performers the trading model falls down as you only get clubs willing to loan them not buy them or get no interest at all.

Never mind look for the "new" section john ffs

I hate the site can never find anything?

Is that the club shop? Prefer embroided badges over stickers as I never follow the washing care instructions 😄

Team and manager need to get used to more than 1 game a week and while not as prestigious or financially lucrative as the other 2 European competitions by some distance we will still get good money from our home fixtures and a good chance of another cup plus coefficient points to help boost future prize share down the road. While having a reset and going again next year without europe one season will have advantages especially over rivals to the top 6 all playing extra games being in europe one season out next cycle does eventually need to be broken.