The Black & White Daily is Back

We’re back and this season we’re going daily. Well, if we can manage it.

Every day we’ll be featuring the latest news, highlights, match previews and analysis and the odd bit of nonsense.

Today’s issue features Season Previews, a teeny bit of Transfers and Match Previews for Southampton today.

Let’s start with the new season. Time to grab a drink and see what the next 10 months has in store.

Season Previews

As you’d expect, most of the podcasts, YouTube shows and fanzines this week focus on previews of the upcoming season.

And as you’d probably also expect, most of them reckon a Champions League spot is a realistic goal.

The True Faith Podcast season preview is a good example, highlighting the behind-the-scenes changes, players to watch, our cup chances and relatively easy start to the season. “Minimum expectation” is Champions League qualification according to Alex, Sam, Ordy & Si. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/nufc-podcast-newcastle-united-season-preview-24-25/id922005191?i=1000664886734

Of course, every season preview from Spurs, Chelsea, Man Utd and Villa is also claiming Champions League qualification as their minimum expectation so unless we get 8 places this year there are going to be a few disappointments.

The bookies have us as 7th favs which feels about right, A good run, lack of injuries and a bit of luck is probably going to determine who gets 4th and maybe even 3rd. Could be us, but more realistic expectations are a top 6 finish, a good cup run, and most importantly to see some progress on the field. That might look like shoring up some of the defensive frailties that crept in last season, a bit more from the right wing, and having a backup option if Isaak is injured or just not firing.

George Caulkin’s season preview gives a decent summary of recent events and his personal thoughts on potential signings and who to watch this season. He reckons 5th place would be a solid achievement. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5688816/2024/08/14/newcastle-united-season-preview-tonalis-back-howes-stayed-progress-needed/

Finally, The Athletic Podcast with Ayo Akinwolere, Chris Waugh and Phil Hay takes a different tack with its preview, focusing on Eddie Howe’s job security in the wake of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi’s departure, the appointment of new sporting director Paul Mitchell and the limits on transfer activity due to Financial Fair Play.

In reality, there’s not a lot to go on, so they don’t say much other than his position is a bit less secure than before and his recent comments show signs of discomfort. But we’ll know a lot more in the coming months as to how the new structure is working out. Listen to the full podcast here:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/podcast/144-athletic-football-podcast/episode-869/

Transfer News

Nothing new here really. Another Guehi bid rejected with the general feeling now being that while he’d be a great signing, any more price hikes and we should walk. Aaron Stokes’ update in The Chronicle is typical: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-cusp-marc-guehi-29753527

Match Previews

As ever a lot of the match previews focus on meaningless stats like how many of our previous opening games we’ve won, how many goals we score on average vs Southampton, our track record vs promoted sides blah blah. Different teams, different managers, different eras.

That said, the Gallowgate Shots preview has some decent banter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdqD4GlkKjo

Eddie Howe’s pre-match interview is here. Said all the things you’d expect about expectations, injuries, Isak and Tonali. Hinted at a bigger role for Livramento. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtUJy_OOCMc

Our own Chris’s Southampton preview with actually useful stats and a discussion of potential tactics is here: https://www.blackandwhitedaily.com/p/newcastle-vs-southampton-17824

Betfair have us at 1.4 to win with 2-0/2-1 as the most likely scores. Seems about right.

That’s All Folks

See you tomorrow with reviews and highlights