Sport – Middle Age Fanclub

NUFC: That was the week that was.

Sometimes it feels like only the likes of Shakespeare and Scorsese do drama like Newcastle United. And the last seven days or so has encapsulated that perfectly…or imperfectly if you’re a Newcastle fan.

When news broke of the Munoz deal being hijacked on Wednesday night it wasn’t even that much of a shock, really. We’d already lost out on Zadok Zohana little over a week ago. He of course chose Brighton instead of Newcastle United. You can add that to almost the entirety of last pre-season when it felt like anyone we approached went elsewhere and the only quick deal was signing Nick Woltemade, done in the latter stages of the window.

Now, I don’t know much about Munoz apart from YouTube clips, so I’m not overly bothered that he’ll be in red, not black and white next season. But it’s not really the point. Once again we seem to have dithered and somewhat inevitably, lost out. Reports said that the player was keen to come, the price agreed etc. It was also said that he was the top target. And yet still we couldn’t get the deal done!

Earlier in the week we were greeted with the news that Head of Recruitment, Steve Nickson was off to West Ham. I won’t pretend to know exactly which players he signed, targeted or recommended, but whichever way you look at it losing such an important figure within the club doesn’t look good and just adds to the disruption. And it also means that when we should be actively recruiting players were also trying to recruit yet another replacement for someone who should be doing the recruiting. In theatre terms more a farce than anything Shakespearean.

There was also the news that Tino Livramento had picked up another injury and was out of the World Cup. While I feel for the lad, it just made me wonder if he’s ever going to be consistently available for Newcastle.

In the past week or so we’ve also had news about Sandro Tonali, Marco Pallestra and James Trafford. The Tonali to Spurs news just feels bizarre and yet so, so suited to us. Without going into any real detail though, why on Earth would he want to join Spurs? Seemingly, he does though. And the sight of their fans on social media explaining what it will take to get the deal done is galling to say the least. Then there’s Pallestra who our old friend Fabrizio Romano seems determined to tell us is DEFINITELY NOT GOING TO NEWCASTLE! Alright pal, calm down.

The Trafford news just left me cold. Two days of people pointing out that we’re interested once again. No concrete news about any actual transfer, but he’s our top goalkeeping target again. Forgive me if I feel like I know how this one ends already.

For me it’s crucial that we start hearing positive news. I appreciate that the window has only been open a matter of days, but other clubs aren’t waiting around. Brighton and Spurs have both made notable signings. I mean even previously skint Barcelona have made a major signing…

It’s important that we get things right. For weeks now we’ve heard rumours about the list of possible Gordon replacements and now we’ve lost out on the first one we’ve gone for. Already there are worrying echoes of last pre-season and much more of this could prove catastrophic for the upcoming season and the so called ‘project’. Again.

On the flip side, there are positives from the last week. New boy Ewen Jaouen looks to be a player with real potential and with any luck we’ve found our eventual number 1 for years to come. We have several players at the World Cup (ok, it’s not all incredibly positive, but there’s a barrel to be scraped here) and Yoane Wissa has actually scored.

It feels like the next couple of weeks have to be positive though. Players need to be coming in and coming in early. As I write the fixtures are out tomorrow and if you’re anything like me you’ll start looking at runs of games where we might start losing points! Forgive me for preaching positivity and then being so negative, but I’ve supported the club through thin and thinner and this is how I approach every season!

Clearly, we could all just do with some good news!

Farewell and good luck, AG.

At around 9.30 on the evening of 18th March, you’d have been forgiven for thinking that we’d struggle to even give any of our players away come the summer transfer window. With Barcelona 7-2 up on the night of our Champions League Round of 16 second leg, I’d have laughed you out of town had you told me that anyone in black and white would fit in on the other team. And yet, some 72 days later Anthony Gordon has just signed a 5 year contract at the Camp Nou in return for Barca throwing £69m our way.

Some will say good riddance, reasoning that the player has let us down this season with a number of lacklustre performances and a perceived reluctance to feature in the last 4 games of the season. Others, myself included, will remember the many positives and wish the lad the very best of luck.

At the time we signed Gordon – in January 2023 – I was thrilled. For me, we’d signed a player who was raw, hungry, ultra quick and skilful and who had so much promise that his future in black and white looked truly exciting. Although he played in a very different position, there was something about this deal that reminded me of signing Andy Cole. And for me, Anthony Gordon has very much fulfilled that promise. With 152 appearances and 39 goals, I think it’s hard to argue against the fact that he’s done just the kind of job that he was brought in to do.

On the negative side of things, you could point out numerous performances this year when he didn’t look as interested as we’d have liked. There’s no doubt that there have been times when he’s let us down. But, he’s not been alone in that.

Remember though, players aren’t infallible. Anthony Gordon certainly wasn’t. I think he let us down badly against Liverpool in August of last year when he was sent off in first half injury time for a reckless challenge on Virgil Van Dijk. Without that I think most of us would say that we were on for a memorable victory. But wherever you look in terms of the Toon, players will have let us down. Nobody’s perfect. It’s the same with life in general. I mean, I begged for a BMX aged 12 and my parents got me a Grifter. Try doing wheelies on that! Talk about a let down!

But for any lows there have been many more highs. Whether it was hustling PSG defenders into mistakes on that memorable Champions League night in October 2023 when he was absolutely electric or fabulous goals at home against Spurs or versus Man City in 23/24. Whether it was one of many penalties won in our favour or the four goals and 33 minute hat-trick he scored this season against Qarabag. Whether it was the performance against the mackems in the cup win at the stadium of shite or his goal against them at home this season. Anthony Gordon was dynamic, exciting and frankly a menace, typifying the qualities that we would probably all ask for first and foremost in anyone wearing those black and white stripes.

Personally, I’ll remember the player that fell in love with the club, the area and the people and who at times looked like he’d die for that badge. A lad who arrived with potential and left a much better player, but still with some potential to fulfil.

On leaving he talked about how much he owed the club after arriving and feeling “quite lost”. He went on to say “I loved every single minute of being a part of Newcastle United” calling us “an incredible club” and ending with “I’ll be a fan for the rest of my life.” A classy way to end his time here, I thought. He leaves having become an England regular during that time and having been instrumental in the run to winning our first trophy in well over 50 years. Gordon has easily been one of my favourite players of the last few years and I have no doubt that whoever takes his shirt will have to work damned hard to replace that pace, hard work, guile and sheer impact on the team. Yamal’s new mate will be a tough act to follow!

Adiós y buena suerte, Anthony. And all the best, bonny lad!

A Tribute to Tripps.

Kieran Trippier arrived at Newcastle United without a cape that I know of, but clearly prepared to give superhuman levels of effort in order to keep the club in the Premier League. We weren’t quite on our knees, courtesy of the recent takeover and the appointment of Eddie Howe, but without Tripps you wonder if things would have turned out a lot worse.

There was something a bit thrilling about signing an established England international back in January 2022, especially as we were bottom of the league at the time. Add to that the honours – he’d won La Liga with Atletico Madrid in 20/21 and scored for England in the 2018 World Cup Semi Final – and for me this was a signing that was a bit reminiscent of signing Keegan in 1982.

Before he signed many of us had probably resigned ourselves to watching Championship football in season ’22/’23. It was hard to feel any hope or optimism, particularly as for many of us this wasn’t the first time that we’d been struck by that particular Toon depression. After he signed though, it felt like everything might just be alright after all.

Tripps would go on to captain the side, embodying the determination and work rate of his manager, helping us get to safety in that first season and then leading us on an unforgettable journey in subsequent seasons. He galvanised what was pretty much a broken club, influencing other quality players to take the plunge too and set the standard for every last one of the squad to follow. While Eddie is often credited with improving players, it’d be remiss of us to underestimate Trippier’s influence on the likes of Gordon, Miley and Hall.

Trippier’s laser-like focus has remained largely unaltered during his time on Tyneside and even when others have been preferred to him, like Livramento and Miley, he’s always been a positive influence on others. No sulking and pouting, no ‘do you know who I am’ type behaviour, just sheer professionalism and a desire to see the club progress.

One thing I really liked about Tripps was his on field behaviour. Always calm and composed. If he made a mistake, the hand went up in apology. If others made a mistake he was the first to give encouragement. A proper professional, an inspirational captain and a superb team mate.

There won’t be many among us without a positive memory of Tripps. For me, his performance in the vital away win at Leeds in January 2022 stands out. He was immense that day against Bielsa’s team and helped secure a rare clean sheet and three points at a time when we desperately needed things to start going our way.

He’s scored vital goals too with my personal favourite being the curling, dipping free-kick in the win at home to Everton in February 2022. This was only our third win of the season and a goal that would help us get out of the bottom three. He made ‘tiny arms’ Pickford look stupid as well at the same time! Such was the beauty of that free-kick that I was inspired to write a poem about it as well! It’s on the link below if anyone fancies a look.

https://middleagefanclub.co.uk/2022/02/13/poetry-blog-kieran-trippier-over-the-wall/

And of course, Tripps was superb in the Carabao Cup final win drawing on his big game experience to get us through the match. Firstly, he delivered the corner for Dan Burn’s towering header for the opener and then he was immense in those last 10 minutes when Liverpool were piling on the pressure.

That’s been the story of Trippier’s 4+ years in Toon. When the pressure’s been on, he’s invariably been there with the big game experience to calm it all down and push people to greater heights. In leaving, he’ll leave a huge hole in the squad and it’s to be hoped that he’s passed enough of his experience on so that things don’t suffer to much.

In the future, it’d be great to see him return in some capacity. For now though, it’s goodbye. Go well, Tripps and thank you.

The Pontefract 10k 2026.

Having written about getting my hopes up about running in this event a few days ago, it’s quite nice to be able to sit here writing about the actual thing and not feel in any way disappointed. I mean, I’d have liked to run slightly faster, but in reality I’m totally satisfied with the time I achieved and the way I ran.

It was an early Sunday wake up to get out to Pontefract and then a rush to the start to pick up my number and get stretched and ready for a 9am start to the race. It was also one of those days where I curse my build; my skinny little legs really don’t enjoy the cold! Still, as we were counted down and the clock clicked over to 9am, the sun had just about come out.

Pontefract is a hilly course and although I’ve now done it five times, I had still forgotten just how hilly that actually was. I was fully prepared for the two big hills that follow on straight after the halfway point. I knew they’d be a slog, I knew that my legs would be like jelly by the time I reached the top and so I was okay with that. However, after that more hills just seemed to keep on coming and as positive as I tried to keep, I was actively swearing at them by the time I reached what turned out to be the last one! And yes, I know that swearing at hills won’t achieve anything, but believe me, somehow it helped!

My plan for the race was just to stay positive and determined and to keep checking on my pace. I had it in mind that I could afford some 9+ minute miles, but that in the main, I had to be running more of the 8 minute kind if I could. I suppose it’s not rocket science. I was also aware that some of those hills might take me above 10 minute mile pace and I really couldn’t afford that, even briefly.

The first half of the race went better than planned, although I did go out far more quickly than I’d wanted for my first mile. But by the time we turned to head towards the finish for the second half and those hills hit, my plan was coming slightly undone. The sun was also now firmly fixed in the sky and it was getting a little bit hot. There was nothing else for it than to grit my teeth and just keep plodding on, staying as close to those I’d been using to pace me as possible.

For the second time running in a 10k I missed the water station, which was a bit of a disaster. I did ask if there was another further on and was told ‘yes’, but it turned out that they meant that there were two other volunteers just across the road. And I missed them too!

By the time I’d got myself to the final mile or so I was parched. However, I’d had an energy gel – the first time I’ve used one, disgusting by the way – and so just kept on going. The plan was to attack that final mile, but usually I’m not capable until around the latter part! However, today I’d found another gear pretty much instantly.

Much of the final stretch at Pontefract is downhill, which means you can pick up some pace if there’s any energy left. I wanted to be running somewhere in the 7+ minute mile pace, but I was still a little surprised to see just how quick I was going; I was close to 6 minute pace. And the added bonus was that by the time I spotted my wife and son at the roadside I felt like I was really travelling! In my head I must’ve looked great, but I’m sure their eyes would tell you something very different!

At the bottom of that final hill you almost turn back onto yourself and into Pontefract park towards the finish, which you guessed it, is up a slight hill! I must admit to feeling knackered at this point but I just kept pushing myself to keep that sprint finish going. And with spectators on either side of the course cheering you on, it’s really pretty cool provided you’re not in a complete mess!

In the end I clocked in for a 55 minute run. That much hoped for 54 wasn’t too far off and where usually I might beat myself up about missing out, today I was just happy to get around a tricky course and feel like there wasn’t a great deal more that I could have given.

I bumped into a couple of old friends afterwards once I’d met up with my family again, so that put an added sheen on the day. Both had run way quicker than me, but both also said how tough they’d found the course. Maybe it wasn’t just me swearing at those hills then!

Same time next year? Why the hell not!

Getting my hopes up again…

On Sunday I will take part in my latest 10k race. Regular readers will know that I’m under no illusions as to actually winning. Or even placing in the first thousand, as it goes. Finishing is always a little bit of a surprise.

However, it’s fair to say that I’ve been getting my hopes up again.

Recently, while viewing my latest run statistics on Strava, I scrolled down my feed to find an ‘On this day 4 years ago’ notification, letting me know that this time (April) fours years ago I’d ran a 51 minute 10k. Now for a lot of people that’s not particularly quick, even for some in my age group. I was staggered though.

I’m not one for remembering personal bests and stuff like that, but I was taken aback at this 51 minute revelation for a number of reasons.

Firstly, I couldn’t remember being this quick. Secondly, this would have been under 6 months before I would collapse with heart issues (in the security queue in Manchester airport!) and I would have been suffering with the palpitations that would ultimately lead to having a pacemaker fitted 7 months later. And finally, because since having said pacemaker (and being ‘fixed’) I’ve struggled to break 55 minutes, let alone 51!

It left me feeling perplexed, to be honest. A little bit amazed that I’d been running so quickly (for me) at that time, but also feeling quite annoyed at what having a pacemaker has done for me. That’s a feeling that I can get quite often and I’ve decided that there’s no point dwelling on it. After all, it most likely saved my life, so running a bit slower shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Which is where getting my hopes up comes in…

This coming Sunday I’m running the Pontefract 10k. I’ve had 7 whole weeks of training and have been able to get out for most of that on more than one occasion per week. For each of those weeks I’ve managed at least a 10k training run as well as another shorter one and sometimes even a bit of something else like yoga or a walk. In short, training has gone pretty well, which is far from usual for me. For the last couple of years it seems like I’ve been either ill or injured coming up to a race and have rarely stood on the start line feeling like I’m going to do myself justice. And so I’ve been getting my hopes up.

Sunday’s weather doesn’t look too bad. A suggestion of rain, but barely any wind. I know the course quite well and although it’s hilly so are my training routes. And training has gone well over these last 7 weeks. I’ve not got a cold, nor am I feeling signs of any sickness at all. I’ve even got a new inhaler! I’m not hopeful of getting anywhere near that 51 minutes, but if I could get in under 55 then I’d be thrilled. Fingers crossed that after what can feel like endless uphill sections during the last 3 miles, I’ve still got enough in the legs to put in a big finish over that final mile or so. I’ll let you know how it went. Wish me luck!

NUFC: The Ones That Got Away – Elliot Anderson.

It’s always sad when a young, locally produced prospect has to move on. We’ve had loads over the years as local talent rarely seems to cut the mustard. But when one does make it and then has to be sold, well that hits differently. And it’s different again when the reason for selling is to keep on the right side of financial rules that many deem completely unnecessary.

Elliot Anderson was certainly one that got away. Or one that was given away, depending on your feelings about the Premier League and its ridiculous PSR rules being inflicted on a club who’s owners have more money than we could ever imagine!

Anderson came to prominence after winning the 2022 Wor Jackie award, given yearly to the most promising young player at Newcastle United. He’d appeared briefly in the Premier League before this, but then spent the latter half of the ’21-’22 season on loan at Joey Barton’s Bristol Rovers where he made 21 appearances and scored 7 goals. He was a revelation at Rovers, earning rave reviews for his displays and picking up the ‘Geordie Maradona’ nickname to boot. Given our reputation for failed loans Anderson’s success clearly marked him out as one to watch.

As such, he stayed with Newcastle for the next season, making 22 appearances and then a further 21 the season after. It was clear that we had a talented player on our hands and it seemed that Anderson had a bright future in black and white.

There are some that would tell you that he wouldn’t have gotten the required amount of game time that would aid his development, but given the demands on the team lately and the involvement in four different competitions, it’s hard to see how he wouldn’t have found his way into the first team. Some would also point to the presence of Bruno, Tonali and Joelinton, but that trio haven’t looked themselves consistently for a while now. I think there would almost certainly have been an Elliot Anderson shaped gap there at some stage and that given his chance, evidence suggests that he would surely have taken it.

Elliot – as we’re seeing these days in both a Forest and an England shirt – was a powerful, skillful player with a great range of passing who surely would have only got better under Eddie and also with the influence of the likes of Bruno and Tonali alongside him.

In all though, Elliot only made 55 appearances for Newcastle United before the forced sale to Forest for a reported fee of £35m. Other reports have that as more like £15m + Vlachodimos. Whichever way you look at it, this wasn’t a good deal for Newcastle.

Anderson has gone on to prove himself and then some. As well as producing some superb form for Forest where he spent most of last season in the Champions League places, Elliot has gone on to represent England brilliantly and looks a shoe in to start at the upcoming World Cup. Even this season, with Forest fighting relegation, Anderson has been their stand out player and is adored by their fans. The talk is that he will almost certainly then be on the move come summer, with big money transfers to the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea as well as both Manchester clubs being reported in recent months. Newcastle have also been regularly mentioned as his next destination, but it would seem that financial restrictions would hinder the chances of what is thought to be a £100m transfer happening.

Whatever happens next for Elliot it seems clear that he’s developing into a top player. The potential that we all saw at Newcastle is very much being realised and he is now producing game changing performances on a regular basis.

Not just one that got away, but one that was ripped from our grasp and while we still have a top class midfield, it feels like Elliot Anderson – coupled with Lewis Miley – could and should have been the future of Newcastle United and ruled the roost for many years.

Magpie Moments Episode 8.

Welcome along to the latest Magpie Moments, the column that celebrates the great, the terrible and the typical moments that we might have shared as Mags. This time around features Leicester away, Laurent Robert in Hollywood and Micky Van der Ven practising a hobby when probably he should have concentrated more on his football.

Leicester away, 2018. The King Power Stadium, April 2018 and Newcastle are sitting just below mid table in the first season back in the Premier League under Rafa. Jonjo Shelvey had opened the scoring on 18 minutes. We’re 66 minutes in, trying to defend our one goal lead when it happens. A 30 second passage of play that should go down in the club’s history. It won’t, but it should. With Leicester on the attack Newcastle produce 9 tackles in 30seconds, to let the home team know they’re in for a fight. Each tackle is roared on by the travelling fans. First Mo Diame puts in two, one from being prone on the grass. Then it’s DeAndre Yedlin’s turn with a sliding interception followed by a stretched clearance. As the ball breaks it’s down to Matt Ritchie to put in a sliding challenge. Paul Dummett is next with a typically robust challenge and all the while the away following are getting louder and louder as Leicester players seem to be suddenly not so committed. Jonjo Shelvey and Ayoze Perez join in before Christian Atsu wipes a Leicester player and the ref blows for the foul. And then, just for good measure Dummett flattens someone going up for a header. Newcastle would go on to win the game 2-1, ending the day in 10th position and ultimately staying up. That 30 second collection of tackles was not just a Magpie moment; it was a clear sign that this team were up for the fight and fully committed to the shirt. I wonder if today’s players can look at themselves and say the same?

Robert’s free kick goes to Hollywood. This was a memorable goal in its own right. Laurent Robert scoring a peach of a free kick in March 2005 to win the game against Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool. When the free kick was given over on the East Stand side of the box it looked ripe for a good delivery into the box, maybe something Shearer could get his head on. Instead, Robert just hit a trademark shot which flew high into the Leazes end net. It was a fantastic goal, but would become known for more than just the three points it won. Throughout the game it was noticeable that there were extra subs knocking about on the touchline at times. And then at the end there were people in black and white shirts who weren’t Toon players, celebrating. It turned out that they were actors from the film ‘Goal’ and that Robert’s free kick – or a version of it – would end up in the film as the winner in a Champions League match. It also produced these faces from ‘scorer’ Santiago Munez, which I always think are worth revisiting.

Micky Van der Ven’s breakdancing. In April 2024 Newcastle United would hammer Spurs for the second consecutive year. In 2023 it had been 6-1 and a year later we would trounce them by four. Both performances were superb, featuring some incredible goals. But there were two moments that stood out in the 4-0 game, both involving Spurs’ defender Van der Ven. On two separate occasions, rather than try and stop Newcastle from scoring he just tried to distract them with some breakdancing. It didn’t work as first some Swedish bloke turned inside VDV’s backspin and scored before Anthony Gordon did more or less exactly the same two minutes later. Undeterred, VDV just carried on like a teenager with a roll of lino from the 80s!

So, if proof were needed that at Newcastle United there was never a dull moment, that’s three more bit of evidence for you! God only knows what the next episode might bring.

Gallowgate Cult Heroes number 23 – Mike Mahoney.

Mike Mahoney is the first goalkeeper I remember playing for Newcastle United. I would have been about 6 when I went to my first match and saw him play, but I’d heard of his legend long before from my dad singing his song when he came in drunk from the match!

Standing at only 5′ 11”, Mahoney was small for a keeper, even in those days. This was 1974 and he had been a regular with fourth division Torquay United, but Newcastle manager Joe Harvey was confident enough in his abilities to buy him for the princely sum of £25,000. He only made 2 appearances that season, but his time would come.

Mahoney appeared 37 times in the ’75/’76 season, taking over from the popular Willie McFaul and Newcastle finished 15th in the table. Despite his size Mahoney was agile and could always be relied upon to produce a spectacular save or two. He couldn’t save us from defeat in that season’s League Cup final though.

Despite the presence of another good keeper in Roger Jones, Mahoney would play every game in the ’76/’77 season and was voted our Player of the Year. He’d earned the popular terrace tribute song of “Mick Mahoney, super goalie, la la la la la”! With Newcastle finishing 5th and earning a UEFA Cup spot, the stage seemed to be set for Mahoney to go on and make the number 1 shirt his own for a long time.

However, the following season (’77/’78) was a disaster and Newcastle were relegated. Before the season even started there was the threat of strike action by players who were desperate for Richard Dinnis to be appointed manager. They got their way, but Newcastle spent almost the entire season in the relegation zone. Mahoney would only make 23 appearances and having been hit by a bottle in the away leg of our UEFA Cup tie against the Irish side Bohemians, he suffered a loss of form and was never the same keeper again.

New manager Bill McGarry clearly didn’t rate Mahoney and he was sold to Chicago Stings in the November of the ’78/’79 season. From there he played in the North American Soccer League for California Surf and the Los Angeles Lazers until his retirement in 1986. Mike joined the coaching staff of the Lazers for a couple of years until the club folded. He would stay in the States until he returned to England in 2018 to coach at Bristol Manor Farm.

Although only on Tyneside for a relatively short amount of time, Mike Mahoney definitely became a bit of a cult hero.

NUFC: How do you solve a problem like a Wissa?

It’s pretty much been a season of near disasters for Newcastle United. You can go as far back as pre season and the shocking defeat to Celtic. Last minute losses to Arsenal and Liverpool at home, countless injuries, Marseille, Man City in the cup, sunderland, Barcelona and the surrender of 25 points from winning positions. Add to that the shocking drop off in form of our great early season hope, Nick Woltemade. Yoan Wissa, however, might just trump the lot.

I think we all knew that we’d had our pants pulled down when we agreed to pay a reported £55m for a bloke who was about to turn 29 in summer. I’m not sure any of us could have forecast what would come next though.

I have to admit that a few years ago, Wissa was a player that I liked the look of. He was playing second fiddle to Ivan Toney, but on the occasions that I saw Brentford play, he looked dynamic and dangerous. He looked a player with the potential to be the main man at a Premier League club. And he still might be, but this season has made him look anything but.

What we’d probably all hoped for was that quick, dynamic striker that played for Brentford last season. With 20 goals in total, four seasons as a Premier League player and 137 appearances, it appeared that we were getting someone who knew his way around the league. It’s turned out to be an entirely different matter.

So far, Wissa has scored 3 goals and contributed just one assist in 23 appearances. At the time of writing, in 427 minutes of Premier League action he’s managed just the one goal. There’s been little else to redeem him. His contributions have been tepid and it’s already gotten to the stage where he looks a little desperate when he gets on the pitch which is inevitably leading to errors and snatched shots when chances present themselves. In short, he looks lost.

Of course, time will tell whether this year can be put down to the lack of a pre-season (his own doing) and the early injury that ruled Wissa out for so long. But will he even get that time?

For me, Wissa’s signing highlights a lack of scouting depth. The last minute farce of signing an Isak replacement should never have happened. Even before we knew that the rat wanted out, we should have been targeting his successor. It feels like we weren’t. And if we have a look at some of the other new strikers in the league it makes our decision to sign Wissa look all the more desperate and unimaginative.

Brentford had signed Igor Thiago from Club Brugge in 2024, but injury ruled him out for most of last season. However, looking at his stats for this season puts our scouting to shame. So far, Thiago has 21 goals in 40 appearances and has just made his debut for Brazil. He’s 24; not even in his prime, but with enough experience to suggest that he has all the tools to lead the line at a bigger club. He’d been playing in Europe for just over 2 seasons when Brentford bought him. He wasn’t unknown.

In July 2025 Everton signed Thierno Barry from Villareal for £27m. After a shaky start he’s now made 31 appearances and scored 6 goals. Not an incredible record, but he’s only 22 and was signed at half the price of Wissa. He’s also a French Under 21 international who’d been playing regularly in Europe since 2022. Would his raw talent and potential have been a better bet last year when we’d committed so much money already to signing Nick Woltemade?

Even in the dark place down the road they have a summer signing who has been a success. Brian Brobbey signed from Ajax having scored 35 goals in 92 appearances. Quick and powerful, his potential looks huge and even though he’s not exactly lit up the goalscoring charts, he looks to be another player who would have fit right into our team.

To be clear, I’m not saying any of the above would have been the answer to all of our problems. But it’s interesting to look and see that all of them have had a greater impact than our £55m man.

Would Eddie Howe have been able to mould and nurture any of this potential into a better option than Wissa? I guess we’ll never know. However, his work with other players in our squad would suggest so. Or would an alternative have went the same way as Wissa? After all, Eddie certainly hasn’t worked any magic there and as we approach the end of the season Wissa is looking more and more like a forgotten man.

In then end, we’ll never know if anyone else would have worked out better. But for me, Wissa’s signing and the fall out from what was a farcical summer window shows that this is an area where we have to do better.

With another even more crucial window approaching and the need for more striking options well documented it’s vitally important that Ross Wilson gets it right. And if he’s still Newcastle’s number 9 next season, then Yoanne Wissa has to start the season in top form.

Gallowgate Cult Heroes – Number 22; Kevin Brock

OK, so some of you will never have heard of Kevin Brock. And those of you who have heard of him will almost certainly be questioning his status as any kind of hero. Look, indulge me. Bear with me. I mean, no one’s asking you to write this, but if you could give it a few minutes to read, it might make a little more sense.

Kevin Brock joined Newcastle from Queens Park Rangers in 1988 for £300,000. This was in the December of what would turn out to be a miserable season in the old Division One.

Brock was a slightly built, but skilful central midfielder. He promised a bit of flair and creativity that had been sadly lacking. He wanted to be on the ball, wanted to get his head up and play and was partial to running with it too. Like me, he was small, thin and didn’t look like he could fight his way out of a wet paper bag. I liked him immediately.

Newcastle would finish dead last in the old Division 1 in Brock’s first season having been woeful throughout. Kevin played 21 times and scored twice, but offered a little bit of light in among the darkness of a terrible season.

I enjoyed watching him play, especially the fact that it felt like he wanted to take a risk at a time when the majority were scared to have the ball.

Brock would make 50 appearances in the following season as we finished third in the second division before falling at the first hurdle in the play offs. He was often the provider for our dynamic front duo of Micky Quinn and Mark McGhee who scored 59 goals between them.

Fast forward a couple of seasons and with Kevin Keegan in charge we would finally gain promotion to the Premier League (or Premiership as it was back then). And while Brock wouldn’t be the star of the show, his eye for a pass still made plenty of chances for the likes of David Kelly, Micky Quinn and eventually Andy Cole.

Other notable Brock memories would include him going in goal against Birmingham in a 3-2 away win after keeper Tommy Wright was injured. And from my memory of the local news report the following night, he had an amazing game. I also seem to recall him scoring a fantastic goal away at West Brom when we ran out 5-1 winners in the 89/90 season.

My final memory of Brock also comes from the fateful 89/90 season and a charity cricket match at Blaydon Cricket Club where I was fortunate enough – as a very nervous teenager – to meet both Kevin and Micky Quinn. Both signed my green and yellow away kit which I still have to this day!

With Newcastle in the Premier League, Brock failed to make an appearance with Keegan preferring Rob Lee, Paul Bracewell or Lee Clark in his midfield slot. Heading out on loan to Cardiff City, Kevin would make only 14 appearances scoring 2 goals.

After 6 years on Tyneside, Kevin was released and went on for a number of seasons in the lower leagues at clubs like Stockport, Yeovil and Oxford City.

For me though, Brock was something of a hero. I enjoyed watching his style of play and always felt that there was more to come from him. In the end he was just at the latter end of his career and pushed out of the action by better players in a team that was finally on the up. It would be churlish to say that he didn’t play his part in the upturn in fortunes, but I’m sure that some will disagree with my verdict on his time in Toon.

So maybe I’ll have to compromise and call him a ‘Small Part of the Gallowgate Cult Hero’?