Toon won’t just settle any more

EXCITEMENT IS BACK FOR FANS AS CLUB SHOW AMBITION AGAIN

It is all moving in the right direction. At last you feel this is a club on the move – upwards, not downwards Malcolm Macdonald

I FIND myself in something of a unique position. For 15 years I have approached a new season with Newcastle United full of apprehension and foreboding.

Now, however, August 6 cannot come quickly enough. I am revelling in what lies ahead.

My fear has been replaced by anticipation.

I am not alone. Fans who abandoned United because of the icy grip on hopet Mike Ashley exercised are desperately scrambling to get their season tickets back.

A staggering 30,000 were chasing 1,000 tickets this week. It has all gone crazy.

Isn’t it wonderful? That is what the new owners have done for us.

The good work has been carried on by Eddie Howe and Dan Ashworth with great signings in the transfer market.

I am really excited about Sven Botman (above). Everything I have heard about him is good.

His signing is a reward for patience. United had chased him for seven months and saw off Italian champions AC Milan to get his signature.

When is the last time United outmuscled a European giant who could offer Champions

League football? That is how far Newcastle have come in such a short space of time.

What has pleased me is United have refused to settle for comfort. They could have decided they were covered sufficiently with Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles to compete alongside Dan Burn but went for an upgrade in Botman.

Equally they could have stuck with Martin Dubravka, who has been No.1 for so long, but again moved to take a current England international in Nick Pope (below).

All I want to see now is a striker walk through the door and I will be more than happy.

United are short up top with Callum Wilson’s injury record and dare not go into a season so exposed. A centre-forward is the last piece of the jigsaw.

United need to get one or two out of the door but they have two months to do that. Only Isaac Hayden and Freddie Woodman have gone so far but there are plenty of others they can let go.

It is all moving in the right direction. At last you feel this is a club on the move – upwards, not downwards.

Isn’t that a glorious relief?