Informative Football Opinions

As it’s my last day, I thought I’d go back through my life and talk about the development of my interest in the game through the matches that I’ve enjoyed the most, or found the most memorable. Obviously one club will feature more than others but regardless of that, here we go.

Newcastle United have just experienced their greatest high for 56 years, but now is not the time to rest on their laurels. With the right Summer business, a truly special team could be built, and I’m going to discuss the moves that I’d like to see the club make over that window.

It has now been a week since the big day that will never be forgotten. Having had time to process the game I have come to the conclusion that Newcastle United’s victory at Wembley last Sunday was one of the greatest ever in a cup competition. Let’s have a look at the reasons why:

It was the most infamous drought in all of club football. Newcastle had not won a major trophy since 1969. Cup Final defeats in 1974, 1976, 1998, 1999 and 2023, League runners-up in 1996 and 1997, it was as if United were cursed so that they could do no better than second.

Wembley, as always, will host the 65th League Cup Final on the 16th March. Both clubs have played at the ground recently, with Liverpool seemingly playing Chelsea there every season, and Newcastle United still looking for a first Cup Final win at the Home of Football since 1955.

Since I’m departing soon, I felt that I had an obligation to reveal that my opinion on this great debate has changed. Throughout my time running this account I have maintained that I see Pele as the greatest player of all time, but a period of introspection has changed my mind.

It’s the 7th of December 2024. Newcastle United have just lost 4-2 to Brentford, conceding some embarrassing goals, to leave them 12th in the table not far from halfway through the season. Media scrutiny is very much focussed on Eddie Howe, viewed by some as a dead man walking…

Arsenal - Bukayo Saka. This is excluding fees by the way, all players here are assumed to be free transfers who wouldn’t take a huge wage. Saka for Arsenal is obvious, he’s their best player, his Dad is a Newcastle fan and he plays in our weakest position - get him signed!

Player of the season (so far) - Mo Salah. While I think talk of this being an all-time great season is very much overblown, Salah has been the best player so far. He has become a very efficient player, without the all-round game he used to have but clinical finishing and passing.

As of today (24/12/2024) I have been to 245 football matches, with 244 of those at St James’ Park and the other at Wembley Stadium (the League Cup Final of 2023). My record stands at an impressive (given how bad we were for a large spell of it) 123 wins, 51 draws and 71 defeats.

In 1996, Alan Shearer became the most expensive footballer ever at £15 million, choosing to join his boyhood team Newcastle United over Manchester United. The fervour around his signing was remarkable, as Newcastle fans hoped he would be the man to take them from second to first.