NEWCASTLE UNITED

THIS IS A CLUB EXHUMED FROM ITS SPORTS DIRECT BRANDED COFFIN

THE PLAN

Not a day since October’s takeover has passed without people ( non- Newcastle supporters) throwing around words like “Mbappe”, “Neymar” or “250,000- seatGreggs- Arena”. If the club is to become a genuine world football force then it’s going to be gradual, not ‘ Eddie’s Samba Mags Premier League Title 22- 23’. Last season’s improbable 11th place – they are the first top- flight side since 199091 to fail to win any of their opening 14 league matches and avoid the drop – suggests the top eight is possible. That may sound boring, but the season Manchester City signed Robinho, they were 18th at Christmas. Being backed by the sovereign wealth fund of an authoritarian nation means decisions are on front and back pages. Some fans will find that impossible to look past, others won’t give it a second thought.

LESSON FROM LAST YEAR

Evolution, and vindication. The most heartening thing for the Geordie faithful was actually the proof of what followed. The club actually was some modest investment away from being competitive, and the players currently there were horrendously mismanaged by a manager miles out of his depth. Splashing the cash certainly helped, but the performances coached out of previously written- off assets like Emil Krafth, Sean Longstaff and Joelinton ( AKA The Greatest Comeback Story Since Andros Townsend’s Hairline) suggest that big improvements will come quickly even if big transfer fees take a little longer. A 16- year- old Newcastle fan has seen the club go past the FA Cup Fourth Round just once in their lifetime, so no one will be taking a moment of this for granted.

THE MOOD

If you saw the stadium- wide flag displays ( both pre- and post- match) against Arsenal, you’ll know that this is a club exhumed from its Sports Directbranded coffin and bringing genuine enjoyment to the people who love it. Fans persevered – as an institution it’s such a vital part of the city’s identity that nobody really wants to walk away – but the relief that’s accompanied the change in ownership and ambition is almost impossible to measure. On the pitch, goalkeeper Nick Pope is a steal at £ 10m, but a solution is needed to cover for injury- prone Callum Wilson.

ONE TO WATCH

Allan Saint- Maximin, if he stays. No goals since January led to accusations the mercurial Frenchman might not be all that. Nonsense. By every possible metric ( including watching him with your eyes) he remains Newcastle’s most dangerous and exciting player. A vital dressing room presence, Kieran Trippier’s fitness return is a big boost.

MOST LIKELY TO...

Exquisitely dink the ball beyond an onrushing goalkeeper to round off a 3- 0 rout. St James’ Park’s new hero Bruno Guimaraes really can do it all.

LEAST LIKELY TO...

Avoid being on the receiving end of that. Hello, Jordan Pickford...

FFT VERDICT 7TH

Money doesn’t guarantee success, but good decision- making with it certainly helps. Smart manager, smart signings.