North East | It's time for Newcastle’s season to really start

Has this international break given Newcastle the chance to kickstart their season?

Newcastle fan Anthony Gates says excitement is building with fans ahead of the Premier League’s return this weekend

Pre match atmosphere 

A welcome pause at the start of the campaign

Normally I dread the international break arriving so soon after the season begins. Just as a side starts to build rhythm, key players scatter across the globe and the chance to watch them settle together is lost.

This year has been different. The pause has been welcome, not because I want less of Newcastle, but because the start to the campaign has felt stunted. The transfer window dragged on into the season and, in my view, it ought to close before the first ball is kicked. Add to that the absence of a recognised striker and only two points from three games, and it never felt like Newcastle truly got going.

Now the squad is in place and the restart carries real promise. For once, it has been enjoyable to see so many Newcastle players away with their countries. In the past, call-ups were rare, but this break has underlined the progress made. 

Newcastle v Liverpool midfield battle

Established figures such as Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali featured, with Bruno finding the net, while new arrivals showed flashes of quality: Anthony Elanga scoring for Sweden, Nick Woltemade setting up a goal for Germany and Yoane Wissa on target for DR Congo.

Performances like these matter. They show confidence and development, and with Eddie Howe in charge there is every reason to believe they can be translated back into club form. Howe improves players. That has been the story of his time at Newcastle and it is why the potential in this squad feels so exciting. There is a sense that the season can finally begin, and that much more is still to come.

Now for a little bit of negativity | We still need long-term stability off the pitch

Our early summer transfer struggles were rooted in a clear gap at the top of the club’s hierarchy. Sporting director Paul Mitchell departed at the end of May 2025, just as the window opened, leaving Eddie Howe, his nephew Andy Howe and head of recruitment Steve Nickson to take charge of negotiations. None were in a position to manage the process with the same authority or experience.

Andy Howe assumed responsibility for incoming players while Nickson oversaw departures, but the absence of Mitchell’s expertise was keenly felt. Newcastle were left struggling to navigate the complexities of the market at a critical moment.

The signing of Nick Woltemade was definitely a positive. He’s a player who gives us options. Ge could very much be deployed behind Yoane Wissa this season, especially as Howe is seemingly more open to adapting his formation. His first goal in the Gallowgate end will be special.