Newcastle United

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We asked for your views on the one thing - good or bad - related to Newcastle that nobody else is talking about.

Here are some of your thoughts:

Liam: A big looming issue is the sheer amount of players whose contracts are expiring in June and the potential failure to sell the ones that we don't want. None of them will bring in huge fees but, with profit and sustainability rules meaning that every penny counts, letting them leave for nothing is questionable at best.

Vkay: Eddie Howe deserves, and should have, all the support he requires. If he leaves the club, the current regime will be to blame. It will be no better than Mike Ashley. Bring back Amanda Staveley - she understood what the supporters required the club to aspire to and what a breath of fresh air and joy she gave the supporters.

Ken: Why did Amanda Staveley really leave? If she was forced out, it was a bad move on behalf of the club.

Bri: Tino Livramento isn't the player we thought he might be. He is weak defensively and has nowhere near Kieran Trippier's ability going forward. If the latter is staying, he still needs to be playing. I'm also not convinced Sven Botman will ever be as good as he was in his debut season. He was dreadful last year, admittedly carrying an injury, so I hope I'm wrong.

Neil: The lack of cover at centre-half. With Botman and Jamaal Lascelles injured until next year, what happens if we lose Burn or Schar for a couple of months? Emil Krafth covered for three matches but how fair is it to expect a right-back to cover for a protracted period, with Lloyd Kelly needed at left-back? It's not ideal. We need to look at the free agents available.

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None of Fulham’s 16 Premier League home games against Newcastle have finished level, with the Cottagers winning nine and losing seven. The only fixture to be played more without being drawn in the competition’s history is Everton v Fulham at Goodison Park (17).

It is 25 years since Sir Bobby Robson took charge of his first home game for Newcastle.

Magpies fans have been offering their favourite memories of his era at the club on BBC Radio Newcastle's Facebook, external page:

Daniel: Bobby came in and turned us around. The 8-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday right at the start really set us off. From looking like a side going down, to qualifying for the Champions League within what, 18 months? That shows the class of Sir Bobby. A gentleman that loved Newcastle. One of the very best.

Ross: Craig Bellamy's last-gasp winner away to Feyenood - what a night we had in Rotterdam after that.

Ben: 8-0 first home game, Champions League, breaking the London jinx, getting to the FA Cup semi-final and getting to the Uefa Cup semi-final.

Jonathon: 8-0, then going top at Arsenal, and the Feyenoord game instantly spring to mind.

Michael: EIGHT NOWT v Sheffield Wednesday on the day of his first home games as manager. Later on, meeting him along with my eldest daughter at Newcastle 's WH Smith on Northumberland Street on a sunny Saturday afternoon in the close season. Marvellous.

Newcastle United are monitoring 18-year-old Chelsea right-back Josh Acheampong and could try to make a move for the England Under-19 international. (i newspaper - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Despite a transfer window many considered underwhelming, Newcastle are one of only five teams yet to lose a Premier League match, and a closely fought win at Nottingham Forest means a Carabao Cup run is still on the cards.

But when it comes to the Magpies, what is the one thing nobody is talking about but should be - good or bad?

Tell us here, external

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"Holes" in Lewis Hall's defensive game "have been there for everyone to see", says former Newcastle United defender John Anderson.

Hall joined the Magpies from Chelsea on loan in August 2023, before completing a permanent move this summer.

However, the 20-year-old left-back has struggled to secure a regular spot in Eddie Howe's side since making his debut nearly 12 months ago, playing 22 times in the Premier League but starting just 10 games.

"I have doubts about him from a defensive point of view," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle. "Some of the positions he takes up aren't great.

"I think it is mainly the case that he isn't defensive minded. He wants to get on the ball, he wants to get forward, he wants to join in, which I know is your modern day full-back and I appreciate that, but when it comes to defending you have got to do it.

"You have to be in the right areas, you can't leave holes in behind you and, in the games he has played this season, they have been there for everyone to see.

"He is still 20 years of age but whether he sees his future long-term as a full-back or not, I don't know.

"The boy can play the game, there is no doubt about it, I just feel defensively, he doesn't think defensively. All his thoughts are about getting forward and joining in and when it is coming the other way, he doesn't think 'danger'."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of BBC Radio Newcastle's Magpies podcast has landed.

This week, the Total Sport team are joined by comedian Cal Halbert and the man responsible for the Barclaysmen trend on social media James Allen.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Newcastle and Arsenal could move for Germany winger Leroy Sane, 28, who is reportedly unhappy at Bayern Munich.(Caught Offside), external

The Magpies are among a host of Premier League clubs interested in Lille's 24-year-old England midfielder Angel Gomes, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Football Insider), external

Manchester United and Liverpool for Borussia Dortmund's 22-year-old Germany forward Karim Adeyemi. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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Take a look at the Premier League table - go on, I'll wait - and tell me what you see. That’s right, it’s Newcastle United sitting pretty at third with an unbeaten start to the season.

Some might say pride comes before a fall and, true though that may be, let us have this. Last season was so hard. Please let me gloat a little.

What is most interesting to me about our unbeaten run and good start to the season is that it actually... hasn’t been that good.

It is our best start on paper since 1995-96 and, of course, ultimately results speak the loudest. But watching Newcastle for the first four games this season (plus one cup game) hasn’t been the easiest.

Are we seeing a pattern? When Eddie Howe took over, it was said that "intensity is our identity". Last season, it felt more like inconsistency was our identity. Now it is looking like grinding out ugly wins is our identity. Definitely a less catchy one, that one.

Even the players are being asked about it. Post-match on Sunday they were asked if they could play better. Yes, was the obvious answer, and that is definitely how the fans feel.

The slight irritation that comes when watching us concede is simply that we know we can do better - we want to see our team cruise this after such a tough season last time.

Perhaps it is more useful to call it frustration as often the performance seems to have come down to team selection in the first place.

We made three substitutions at half time against Wolves - incredibly unusual from Howe - and after that, were able to play in a much more direct way resulting in two beautiful goals.

So, ugly wins but beautiful goals. There’s some poetry in that. I’ll take it, for now.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Everton boss Sean Dyche is considering a shock move for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope to replace fellow England international Jordan Pickford. (Mirror), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

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A Newcastle related question was put to chief footballer writer Phil McNulty in Monday's Q&A.

Finley asked: Do you believe Newcastle’s early season form, even without playing at their best, suggests they are strong Champions League contenders again this season?

Phil answered: It has been an excellent start for Eddie Howe’s team, Finley, and while I think the top three places will still be Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool (in that order) I do still think there is an opportunity for fourth for the chasing pack – and while I picked Newcastle to finish ninth they can still force their way in there.

There has been lots of talk about what Newcastle haven’t got after a disappointing transfer window when sporting director Paul Mitchell failed to deliver Crystal Palace’s England defender Marc Guehi or any other key signings, but it is also well worth remembering they still have some very fine players.

Alexander Isak is a high-class striker while Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes – who has produced real touches of class to score against Spurs and Wolves – provide genuine quality out wide. The return of Sandro Tonali from suspension is also an upgrade for last season’s squad, when he missed most of the campaign.

I still have Newcastle as outsiders to make the top four, I have a fancy for Aston Villa, but there is absolutely no reason why they should not set their sights on it because there is a little gap in that particular market.

Read Phil's other responses and much more on Monday's football live page

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Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after the Magpies' second-half come-back against Wolves on Sunday.

Schar brought Newcastle back level with Wolves in the 75th minute but it was an outstanding strike from Harvey Barnes that gave Newcastle the three points.

Schar said: "When you're 1-0 down away from home after half-time and come back, it's always a great achievement.

"Big credit to the team. Big win".

This was Schar's first game back having served a three-match suspension.

He said: "I was hungry to play and desperate to be on the pitch again."

And speaking about team-mate Barnes' goal, Schar said: "It was even better than mine, I have to say. Great goal. I'm really pleased for him and the whole team."

Schar described the result as a "massive" win as the Magpies extended their unbeaten start.

"It's been a great start, we're happy with the first few games," he added.

"I think we know that we can perform a lot better, but most important are the results and I think that if we can improve the performances as well, we have lots to achieve. So, we can build on the first four, five games and keep going."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Wolves and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Duane So full of hope after the first half. We had chances to kill it but were undone by two sucker punches. We really need to find that ability to push on in winning positions. If we don't, by the time the easier matches come we will be totally devoid of confidence.

Chris: I had fears when I saw the teamsheet. I thought that, except for Cunha, Dawson, Semedo and Ait-Nori, our strongest team was on the bench. Schoolboy errors in defending by failing to cover the long-range shooter. This is the result of selling your best players and not giving the new men time to bed in.

John: Far too easy for Newcastle. Get rid of O'Neil before it's too late.

Newcastle fans

Andy: Seemed better in the early stages of the first half that we had played all season. Then the rot set in again and we lost the control and allowed Wolves to cause us problems. Barnes and Tonali changed the game. Longstaff should only ever be a sub - he hasn't got what it takes at the level we need to press forward.

Mark: Early on, we dominated without a clear threat. Lucky only to concede one. Late on, we stretched their defence well, without getting down the sides to feed in crosses. In the end, two well-taken shots from the edge of the box were the difference. The defensive structure is working well for now but may come under pressure against top-four contenders.

Joe: We got lucky. We haven’t been the better team in a single game this season. If Eddie Howe doesn’t sort it before his luck runs out, both he and the club could be in big trouble.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Saturday's games.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 0-1 Nottingham Forest

• Aston Villa 3-2 Everton

• Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal

• Wolves 1-2 Newcastle United

Newcastle United are tracking 28-year-old Bayern Munich and Germany winger Leroy Sane, who is out of contract at the end of the season. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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It is Newcastle's best start to the season in 29 years.

Third in the early Premier League table after Sunday's 2-1 win at Wolves, the start belies any frustrations following a disappointing transfer window.

They were not at their best and there is clearly more to come from a squad which could have done with more quality arrivals over the summer.

Boss Eddie Howe pointed to the fact winning helps the Magpies control the narrative from any talk of discontent - following director of football Paul Mitchell's claims he inherited a transfer strategy which was not fit for purpose.

"Winning is everything," he said. "I’ve never shied away from that. The best way of that it is be unified, the unity between the supporters, players and coaching staff is key. I’ll do everything in my power to keep that unity.

"It’s a great platform for us. Confidence is always the key ingredient in any sporting team.

"Hopefully by winning in the manner we are confidence will continue to grow. There’s not doubting the quality of players we have."

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Eddie Howe spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Newcastle's victory against Wolves: "I do think it is a squad game and we need to use the good players that we have. I'm very prepared to make early changes if I feel something is not right as it was today. There wasn't any hesitation from my view, we need to inject some energy and just a new dynamic into the team. That's not a reflection on the players that came off but thankfully it helped us this time.

On Harvey Barnes: "He's an outstanding finisher, he really is. He's lethal coming in on that right foot. He scores all types of goals, that was a long-range strike which was second to none at a big moment for us so I'm delighted with him."

On selection headaches: "Those are the headaches you want. Leaving Harvey out and other players in this game was very, very difficult but it what you're paid to do. All you want then is when the player enters the pitch to try and prove that he should try and start the next game.

On the impressive start: "The fixture list is never easy, every game in the Premier League is always difficult. Four points from Wolves and Bournemouth is good and we go away to Fulham next."

On unity in the squad: "It's the most important thing. The players, the supporters and ourselves as a group of staff coming together really tightly to win games for an unbelievable football club. We will continue to do that and fight really hard for everyone."

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Harvey Barnes has been directly involved in 11 goals in his 25 Premier League appearances for Newcastle (7 goals, 4 assists), averaging a goal or assist every 87 minutes of league action for the Magpies.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Wolves’ performance, external

What did you make of Newcastle’s display?, external

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

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