Newcastle takeover - what's changed?published at 13:04 BST 6 October
13:04 BST 6 October
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle had not long been taken over by a Saudi-led consortium in a £305m deal which was opposed by human rights campaigners.
The club had been dubbed the richest in the world by outsiders, but the reality on the ground was rather different as they battled relegation. So what has changed since the takeover?
Revenue is set to increase from £140m in 2021 to upward of £400m when the club's latest accounts are released later this season, while staff numbers have more than doubled to 550 in recent years.
There has been substantial investment in the academy and the women's team, while hundreds of millions have been pumped into to the club to help with day-to-day running costs.
But one question outsiders might be asking is why the wealth of their Saudi owners hasn't produced greater success.
Though new signings have arrived - around £100m net was spent in the summer - this has been a relatively gradual build as supporter Charlotte Robson explained.
"Because the new ownership were so wealthy, on paper, a lot of people made an assumption that they were going to buy the way to the top," said BBC Sport's Newcastle fan writer.
"Yes, Newcastle have brought in some excellent internationals like Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, but the development of existing squad players and the signing of players like Dan Burn from the region to bolster that feeling around the club has been massive and really important."
Such an approach has been influenced by Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), which restrict losses to £105m over a rolling three-year period, so finding a way to create further headroom will be crucial for Newcastle.
For context, Manchester United may have experienced their worst campaign in more than four decades last season, but the club still generated record revenues of £666.5m.
Digging deeper, Manchester United brought in £333.3m worth of commercial income and £160.3m in matchday revenue.
Newcastle, by contrast, raised £83.6m and £50.1m respectively in their most recent published accounts from 2023-24.
Davey: It might not have been flowing football or particularly stylish, but winning games like this is essential to pushing for another Champions League qualification. We're still adapting to a new style of forward in the middle, but we were pretty solid in defence and our midfield wasn't bad either. Sandro Tonali was my man of the match - he never stops battling.
Bob: A good performance all round but one that might go under the radar is that of Anthony Gordon who was greatly improved. Malick Thiaw also looked solid alongside Sven Botman - a promising partnership there.
Andrew: A game of two halves. In the first half, we looked a bit disjointed. Maybe the pressure of a much-needed win was getting to the team. In the second half, we found some rhythm, created some great chances and deserved more than the two goals in the end. We need to build on the last two games.
Simon: A good solid performance across the team. It was tough to break down the Forest defence and their keeper kept them in the game. Good goal from Bruno Guimaraes and an excellent penalty from Nick Woltemade. Well earned three points.
Forest fans
Mike: I can see exactly what Ange Postecoglou is trying to do and the fanbase need to cut him some slack. I agree that results have not gone his way so far but he had a hard act to follow and in these crazy times he deserves some support. The real problem lies in the ownership and letting Nuno Espirito Santo go which could or maybe will prove catastrophic. Onwards and upwards. We will get better.
Matt: Some improvement but is it enough? I doubt it. Matz Sels brilliance aside it could have been three or four and then it would be a foregone conclusion. As nice a man as Ange comes across as, he's not for Forest and I think it's just a matter of time.
Adam: First half I thought we played well and did a good job. Second half Newcastle out on more pressure and it paid off. I'd like to say things are starting to improve but Newcastle have been poor so far this season as well so it's hardly a good result. I'd happily take Steve Cooper back to be honest.
Graham: I keep refreshing the BBC site, hoping for the news we all want to come. Sadly it has not.
Analysis: Captain Guimaraes steps uppublished at 17:16 BST 5 October
17:16 BST 5 October
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Momentum. That is what Newcastle have been desperately searching for.
Having seen his side record their biggest ever Champions League win against Union Saint-Gilloise in midweek, it was of little surprise that head coach Eddie Howe named an unchanged side on Sunday.
Newcastle did not look as dynamic at St James' Park as they did in Brussels. Nothing summed up the hosts' lack of edge in the first half quite like Joelinton firing well wide from the halfway line.
But captain Guimaraes stepped up in the second half - not only did the Brazilian put Newcastle ahead, he won the penalty to seal the victory.
Woltemade converted the spot-kick, becoming just the third Newcastle player to score in each of his first three Premier League home games for the club after Les Ferdinand in 1995 and Alan Shearer in 1996.
Former Newcastle and NI goalkeeper McFaul dies at 82published at 13:36 BST 5 October
13:36 BST 5 October
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Willie McFaul was a player and manager at Newcastle United
Former Newcastle United and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Willie McFaul has passed away aged 82.
McFaul joined Newcastle from Irish League side Linfield in 1966 and he made 386 appearances before he retired in 1975.
In the era of the great Pat Jennings - widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time - McFaul would only win six caps for Northern Ireland.
McFaul joined Newcastle's coaching staff after he hung up his gloves and would become manager in 1985 when Jack Charlton left his role.
He spent three years in the dugout at St James Park and went on to manage at Coleraine, his hometown club.
McFaul had a brief stint in charge of Guam's national team in 2003, and later worked with the Irish FA and as a scout at Norwich City.
"All of us at Newcastle United extend our sincere condolences to Willie's loved ones," the Magpies posted on social media.
The Irish FA said it sends "sincere condolences to Willie's family circle at this sad time".
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Nottingham Forest" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Wolves v Brighton", for instance.
Nottingham Forest have made four changes from the side who were defeated by Midtjylland.
Captain Ryan Yates, Nicolo Savona and Jair Cunha have been handed their first top-flight starts of the campaign by manager Ange Postecoglou while Chris Wood leads the line.
Sutton's predictions: Newcastle v Nottingham Forestpublished at 10:02 BST 5 October
10:02 BST 5 October
Newcastle scored four goals in Belgium in midweek - the same number as they have managed in their first six league games.
Eddie Howe's side are the joint-lowest scorers in the Premier League, along with Villa and Wolves, so getting a big win like that will be important for them.
They have lost twice at home already, but that was to Arsenal and Liverpool, and on both occasions to late goals.
Yes, the Gunners were the better team on Sunday but Newcastle had lots of chances against Liverpool so they can definitely feel a bit hard done by.
I am expecting them to get more chances here, because I think this game will be really open with both teams going for it.
I am going to go with Newcastle to be wearing their shooting boots again, and keep Ange Postecoglou waiting for his first Premier League win.
Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 12:51 BST 4 October
12:51 BST 4 October
Newcastle are seeking back-to-back wins for the first time this term and face a Nottingham Forest side seemingly stuck in reverse. BBC Sport explores some key themes before Sunday's clash on Tyneside.
When Ange Postecoglou took the reins at Nottingham Forest a little over three weeks ago there were obvious questions about the logic of his appointment.
A coach wedded to high-pressing, possession-based principles was now in charge of a group drilled to sit in low blocks and counter attack under the more pragmatic Nuno Espirito Santo.
Winning over the fans was always going to take time given the popularity of his predecessor, as was the enormous shift of tactical styles. But not many would have foreseen such a poor start.
Postecoglou is the first permanent Forest manager in 100 years to go without a win in his opening six matches, with his fourth defeat coming at home to Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday.
The first European fixture at the City Ground for 29 years promised to be a joyous occasion, but after the 3-2 loss Postecoglou was subjected to chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" by the home support.
"The fans are disappointed. I heard their opinion," said Postecoglou. "I would prefer if people were optimistic in their outlook of what I'm doing. I can only change that by winning games of football."
Newcastle away is the next test for Postecoglou and his personal record at St. James' Park is two defeats from two previous visits with Spurs, including a 4-0 thrashing in April 2024. Forest's record is even worse – they've lost eight of their last nine visits to Tyneside, conceding 24 goals across in that time.
Are Newcastle clicking into gear?
Newcastle are heading into this weekend as the Premier League's joint-lowest scorers with just four goals so far. Six points from six games also represents their worst start to a season under head coach Eddie Howe.
But there is reason to believe that his side have started to click, especially if their midweek performance is anything to go by.
The Magpies recorded their biggest ever Champions League win with a 4-0 victory over Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise on Wednesday. It was also their first away triumph in the competition for 22 years.
"Hopefully it helps us when we return to the Premier League because we've been waiting for a performance like that," said Howe after the match. "It wasn't perfect – there are things we can improve – but it was a big step in the right direction."
Anthony Gordon's brace of penalties underpinned the victory and he became the fifth player to score twice for Newcastle in a Champions League away game, following in the footsteps of three well-known forwards and a left-back.
There was also another goal for club record signing Nick Woltemade, although there were doubts about who got the final touch on Sandro Tonali's deflected effort.
The German striker has scored in his first two home Premier League appearances for Newcastle and could join an illustrious club this weekend if he can find the net again, with Les Ferdinand in 1995 and Shearer in 1996 the only players to score in their opening three at St James' Park.
'Football is harsh' - who starts for Magpies?published at 15:52 BST 3 October
15:52 BST 3 October
Image source, Getty Images
Former Newcastle defender Steve Howey says choosing defenders "is a headache" for manager Eddie Howe.
Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have become a regular defensive pairing this season with Dan Burn filling in for Lewis Hall at left-back.
But, with Hall returning from injury, it leaves Howe with a decision to make over who his first-choice centre backs are.
"It will be interesting to see now that Hall is back and getting some minutes again what happens when everyone is fully fit and who he [Howe] goes with," Howey told BBC Radio Newcastle.
"Does Dan Burn start? That sounds absolutely ridiculous [to question] because of how well he has done, and talk about [Fabian] Schar too, with Thiaw and Botman as well because of how well they have done. It is a headache for the manager.
"I think a lot of fans will say, because of what Schar has done in the past and because of what Dan Burn has done in the past, it's not that long ago but it is still the past, 'you've got to stick with them'.
"But it is harsh, football, everyone will tell you that. You've got two lads who have come into the team, Botman and Thiaw, and the manager might say 'look, you have done brilliant for us but you are going to have to be on the bench because I am fancying them two'.
Howe on Woltemade, a 'Geordie core' and Man Utd linkspublished at 12:53 BST 3 October
12:53 BST 3 October
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at St. James' Park (kick-off 14:00).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Fabian Schar and Lewis Hall are doing well upon their return from injuries: "Fabian was given a strict [concussion] protocol to follow, and he did, and now he's back fit. He looks good. Lewis has been slightly more complex just trying to get him to feel totally comfortable within his body again. I think he's on the right path, and he's doing well, but we have to continue to make sure that we monitor his load."
He confirmed full-back Tino Livramento didn't tear his ACL after being stretchered off against Arsenal but has suffered a knee ligament injury and will be out for eight weeks: "It's a blow to be losing him for those eight weeks, because with our schedule at the moment, that means a lot of games. But because of what it could have been, I think it's very good news. He's already had a couple of injections in the ligament to strengthen it up."
On Newcastle's squad depth: "That's the beauty of the strength of the squad we have, which will make a difference for us this year. We've got some real depth in the defensive areas of the squad, and we're going to need those options if we are going to be successful."
Howe says Nick Woltemade is settling in well at Newcastle, adding: "He's continually laughing with his team-mates. He seems at home already, which is absolutely crucial to his success on the pitch. I think the players most importantly are beginning to understand his game on the pitch. You see the lads really trust him with the ball. But his link play the other day, bringing in the wingers into play was the highest level."
On Anthony Elanga, who was sold from Newcastle to Nottingham Forest in the summer: "I think he's had a number of big contributions. He's had a number of moments that could have dictated the game. Very good crosser of the ball, whether that's early or whether that's working towards the byline. I think he's a productive player, certainly playing with good confidence and good rhythm."
When asked if he feels his team are starting to click Howe said: "I think we've got a few clicks to go. But certainly I think we're finding our rhythm and our belief as a new team."
On Sandro Tonali: "His physicality is one of those standout attributes that he possesses. I think he makes the difference continually for us in that way. He possesses a couple of gear changes that we relied on a couple of times on Wednesday. But then you add to that, his technical ability and his tactical understanding does make him a really good player."
When asked if he would like to see Elliot Anderson back at Newcastle after they were forced to sell him to comply with PSR he said: "I would love him to... It doesn't sit right with me today, and that we as a football club are forced to make a decision that we didn't want to make, and a player that had given everything to rise through the ranks here and to try and play for Newcastle, was ended by financial restrictions. We wish Elliot nothing but success. It's nothing at all to do with him. Is to do with the restrictions."
When asked if there's a determination to keep hold of local talent Louis Miley he said: "I think Louis can be whatever he wants to be from this moment onwards. I don't want to put too much pressure on him but you've got to look how important is it to have that northeast heartbeat inside the football club too. It's crucial for me. Since the day I arrived I realised the importance of the Geordie core, and we don't want to lose that. I think it's so important you have a presence from the local community in your squad."
He says his commitment is with Newcastle after talks of him going to Manchester United circulated in the media: "My commitment here is, I'm all in. I'm 100% here. Always have been. My family is still here. We're fighting every day to try and make a success of what we're doing and the season ahead could be a wonderful thing."
Tuchel names his England squadpublished at 10:39 BST 3 October
10:39 BST 3 October
Thomas Tuchel has named his England squad for the upcoming international break.
The Three Lions face Wales in a friendly on 9 October, before a World Cup qualifier against Latvia on 14 October.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer is absent after suffering an injury, while there is no place for Manchester City's Phil Foden or Jack Grealish, who is on loan at Everton from City.
Premier League set to decide on PSR alternativepublished at 06:21 BST 3 October
06:21 BST 3 October
Dan Roan Sports editor
Image source, Getty Images
A decision on whether to scrap the Premier League's controversial Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and adopt an "alternative system" is "coming up", says chief executive Richard Masters.
The current regulations, introduced in 2015-16 to prevent clubs from overspending, allow losses of £105m over a three-year reporting cycle.
However, they have been criticised by several top-flight teams for limiting their ability to invest.
BBC Sport has been told a decision on any changes is likely to be made at a meeting in November.
In February, clubs chose to continue with PSR for the current season.
However a squad cost ratio (SCR) system of financial control was adopted by the Premier League on a shadowing, non-binding basis.
SCR is similar to Uefa's existing financial rules and allows clubs to spend up to a percentage of their total revenues on squad-related costs.
Nine of the league's 20 clubs already have to comply with Uefa's SCR as a result of qualifying for Europe. Both Chelsea and Aston Villa were fined by Uefa in July for breaching the rules.
Asked about SCR at the Leaders sports conference in London, Masters said: "We are talking to our clubs about an alternative system. That's not to say we don't think the PSR system works."
He added: "It's about closer alignment with European regulation, which is squad cost ratio, which is a revenue test. In Uefa, it's now set at 70%. Our system will be 85% because we always want our clubs to have the ability to invest.
"The Premier League has been built on the back of investment in which international capital flows [are] coming in. We don't want that to be to be stifled off."
Were Newcastle 'idiots' to pay £69m for Woltemade?published at 17:34 BST 2 October
17:34 BST 2 October
Charlotte Coates and Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalists
Image source, Getty Images
It was a shock this week when Bayern Munich board member and legendary former player Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said Newcastle were "idiots" for parting with £69m for Nick Woltemade.
Was he simply sending a barb out of bitterness at missing out on the striker, or commenting out of frustration that the riches of the Premier League are ramping up the prices of emerging talent?
Rummenigge, a former star forward for Germany who is a supervisory board member at Bayern, considered Stuttgart's demands too high for a player who was playing third-tier football just two years ago with SV Elversberg.
Rummenigge said during an interview with Blickpunkt Sport: "I can only congratulate those in Stuttgart for finding - I'll use quotation marks here - an idiot who paid that much money. Because we certainly wouldn't have done that in Munich."
Image source, Getty Images
What is Woltemade's value?
The bottom line, like anything, is what someone is willing to pay.
So Woltemade is worth what Newcastle paid for him: £69m.
Woltemade's last valuation €30m (£26.1m) was at the start of June.
What happened next? He had a breakout few months.
His last Transfermarkt valuation came a day after winning his first senior cap with Germany.
He then spearheaded Germany's front line at the Under-21 Euros, winning the Golden Boot and being named in the team of the tournament.
Undoubtedly that would add to his value, but would those exploits add £43m?
Image source, Getty Images
Re-sale value?
While £69m for a player who had played just 69 top-flight matches prior to this season is a lot of money, there is an element of long-term thinking with the signing of Woltemade.
At 23, the player's best years should be very much ahead of him. The man he has replaced this summer, Alexander Isak, is a good blueprint for what Newcastle will hope for from the German.
"Woltemade at Newcastle, they could end up making money on him, because I think they've got him at a good price," said former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison.
"He's a young age, and I think he can be good in the next three or four years where they can make good money on him."
'We have arrived!' - fans unite after Newcastle victorypublished at 11:19 BST 2 October
11:19 BST 2 October
Media caption,
Newcastle off the mark in Champions League with convincing win over Union SG
We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's game between Newcastle and Union Saint-Gilloise, which saw Eddie Howe's side take home their first Champions League win of the season.
Here are some of your comments:
Richard: We did to Union SG what other experienced Champions League teams have done to us in past seasons. They had a lot of passion and enthusiasm and big confidence. But we were cold, man! We were ruthless and relentless and just took them to pieces. This was the best, most controlled and dominant Champions League game because we were never in danger and we looked like veterans to USGs naïve newcomers. We have arrived!
Andy: A very solid performance with the players performing as a team and there was a real purposeful intent to win the game. More like this please as we move forward.
Seb: A win was essential but that stomp was a statement. We've got plenty of work to do so it's fantastic to see some pay off for the work that's already gone into the new squad. [Nick] Woltemade, [Anthony] Elanga and [Malick] Thiaw looked exceptional out there and things have started gelling really well so I can't wait until we have [Jacob] Ramsey and [Yoane] Wissa to take it even further.
Neil: Well, what I learned from the game was Newcastle United can score and control the game, something that was lacking in the league games for a full 90+ minutes.
Marcus: We needed this. A rock solid display from everyone including the coaches and subs. It all seemed to gel with a shift around at the back and two pacey wingers drifting in and out of the box, and even swapping wings. Woltemade showed some quality touches as well as the goal [I'm pretty sure he was trying to jump out of the way when it hit his foot] but we'll take that. In the end, quite comfortable and enjoyable to watch. At last.
Kelvin: Best performance of the season so far! Howay the lads!
Image source, Getty Images
