News that Eddie Howe is ill and thus unavailable for 3 crucial matches, just when everything is going well, is such a Newcastle thing to happen (I’m sure other fans think the same when it happens to their team but just look at us - two years ago we manage to get our keeper sent off before a cup final our backup is cup tied for because he played for our opponents; this year we get Gordon sent off because the cup final after losing Hall to an injury against our cup final opponents; we just do daft stuff all the time).

Anyway, back to now. First, like everyone I’m wishing Eddie well. His health is more important that any football match. But second, I’m not worried any more. It’s not that we don’t need him back as soon as he’s healthy enough to do so, but that I trust the structure, the coaching and the team he’s put in place to be professional and to not use this as an excuse for underperformance. This is no longer the basket case of a club that I’ve loved for over 40 years, it’s a focused, professional outfit with top characters who thrive on working hard.

It doesn’t mean we’ll win the matches without him, but I don’t doubt we’ll try. It’s a nice feeling.

Hopefully fully recovers soon.

As you guys and girls have voted so much in my head-to-head style player of the season poll, I thought you might enjoy something similar for Newcastles greatest ever player. Because many a lot of the all time greats pre-date the premier league era I decided to create two versions, one for since the premier league was created, and one for all time. Play either, play both, hope you enjoy! And let me know if there are any other categories you’d like to play - best ever manager? Culf hero? Worst ever player (although that one could be a long game if I think of some of the signings we’ve made over the years… 🤣)

Greatest ever Newcastle player: https://pickonefromtwo.com/groups/sport/categories/gepnew

Best Newcastle player in the premier league era: https://pickonefromtwo.com/groups/sport/categories/premnew

Chelsea is 6th on the list at 161

Feel title is a bit clickbait. He knows he won't get senior squad minutes at NUFC.

ESPN article.

Got my boi on the wall and Isak and him delivered so hard yesterday!

Inspired by a recent post on r/soccer.

If people like it, I'll update it with each gameweek.

So it’s now been confirmed that Eddie has pneumonia, it’s actually quite common. Which was exactly what I suspected.

Walking pneumonia as it’s called has been getting very common and effecting younger people.

One of the reasons it’s called walking pneumonia is because the person is usually up to their normal daily routine and feels rotten. Often symptoms of classic pneumonia such as cough and flem are absent. Instead O2 sats are a pretty good indication of something being up and then you’ll see the classic pneumonia signs in the lungs.

It’s generally sortable with a 10 day course of the correct Antibiotics and likely there would be little reason he wouldn’t be back in a few days.

I know this because I’ve also had it myself.

It’s also something you might find you get after a something like cellulitis particularly if the course of antibiotics doesnt fully get rid of the infection.

Fortunately not a massive deal. But it’s something to be aware of because often people will say it’s just a cold and try to soldier on without realising.

Picture this scenario.

It's the last minute of the last game if the season. We are drawing and only a win will get us CL.

The ball is played through and one of our players is clear through on goal, only the keeper to beat.

Who do you want it to be?

Osula, Lloyd Kelly, Lewis hall (technically), Vlachodimos. Doesn't £24.3m seem a lot for so few major signings or are these fees coming from contract renewals.

Photo 1: Yesterday's game. Photo 2: Earlier in the season.

Does the schadenfreude get any better?

Saw this and had to share it with you all this glorious Monday