Pod On The Tyne: an independent NUFC podcast

Sad news this week as Becky Langley, the pioneering head coach of Newcastle's women's team, was relieved of her duties. We hear from Amanda Staveley on Becky's legacy. Sandro Tonali's stay at Newcastle already has a longer shelf life after it emerged he signed an updated contract during his twelve-month gambling ban. And, after Eddie Howe's slightly re-arranged eleven put Benfica to the gravy sword, we consider who might take on Fulham on Saturday and whether we can replicate the last two European results in the Premier League.

Newcastle returned to Brighton's Amex Arena on the south coast (as did Chris Waugh) and their rotten record continues despite the best efforts of Nick Woltemade. A poor first half saw Howe's men trailing, but the giant german produced a moment of golden-heeled inspiration to equalise. Sadly, that was the extent of Geordie joy on the day; Danny Welbeck got his second to restore the lead and the hosts held on for all three points. Lots of questions now as we head into the Champions League against Benfica. Will Howe ring the changes? Who's going to put their hand up to help Nick out a bit? And, can Chris learn to describe music?

Another weekly Pod on the Tyne rolls around and, with many of the lads away on international duty, you'd think it'd be a quiet one. How wrong you are, friend! Newcastle United now have a CEO AND a Sporting Director after they agreed a deal to bring Nottingham Forest's Ross Wilson to the North East. Chris has all the gen on our new football supremo. Our Athletic duo (the capital A is crucial) have been working incredibly hard putting together an in-depth written article on the current state of the club's academy. George actually had to have the day off from podcasting today, but not before he delivered us a very interesting conversation with Steve Harper. The Lasses (TM) are winless at home, which nobody expected in October, but all is not lost. George was at the Gateshead International Stadium on Sunday to see how the much-changed squad is coming together. Chris is off to Brighton again this week, but he isn't taking his light sabre this time.

The September international break is an absurdity; great to see that (after George's comments on a recent PotT) the authorities are doing away with it (definitely related). But, the October break has a different feel. We're almost quarter of the way through the season... the Champions League campaign has started, and Newcastle players are dropping like flies. It's not the same as our last European adventure, though. Eddie Howe's squad is a little deeper, giving us a bit more flexibility and, unlike the start of the season, we have a striker. So, what do we make of the season so far? Let's find out.

Plenty of intriguing angles going into Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. Both teams played in Europe in midweek, Ange Postecoglu under pressure just three weeks into his new job, and the home attack struggling to spark… …Not that Nick Woltemade’s stats would fit that particular narrative. A penalty saw the German forward score in each of his first three home games for Newcastle, becoming just the third man to do so after Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand. It was Bruno who broke the deadlock with a curled effort after good work from Dan Burn, and a 2-0 win rounded off a great week for the lads. ...A better result for The Lasses™, too, although they left it very late indeed at Crystal Palace. Trailing 2-0 with ten minutes of normal time; Oona Sevenius opened her Newcastle account before Morgan Gautrat's Olimpico hit the net eight minutes into injury time!

Newcastle United haven't scored many goals so far this season, especially away from home, but on Wednesday night they put four past Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise and with relative ease. Nick Woltemade has been the source of some "salty" comments from Bayern-related figures over the last few days, but he opened the scoring with a deft flick which he definitely meant. Anthony Gordon scored two penalties and sub Harvey Barnes completed the rout, while Elanga was a threat all evening. In terms of The Lasses, it's been a tough start to the season and they travel to Palace on Sunday to face last season's WSL basement club. The Lads, meanwhile, face Forest who have a familiar figure running the show in midfield.

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Heartbreak at St James's as Mikel Arteta's Gunners laid siege to Newcastle's wall of giant defenders and were able to break them down twice to take all three points back to North London. Chances were few and far between for the home side but Nick Woltemade did make the most of a corner he had earned and kept up his 100% record of headed-league-goals-at-SJP. George and Chris convened outside the Strawberry to reflect on all that, some controversial decisions, and another defeat for The Lasses (TM) who are hopefully emerging from their own teething problems.

The Bantams of Bradford came to St James's Park on Wednesday night. Unfortunately for them, Newcastle United are now heavyweights, especially in the Carabao Cup. Our defence of the trophy began in deliriously routine style despite a rocky spell early doors and a spectacular hit by Bishop Auckland's Andy Cook. With a one-two from Joelinton and Will Osula in either half, it was a comfortable evening in the end and we roll on to Spurs in round 4. Ding ding!

Recorded a mere 24 hours after the snore-fest at the Vitality Stadium, with George barely back through the marble portico which fronts Caulkin Manor, we're already moving on to a new week and yet more interesting football challenges. League One leaders Bradford City will be the visitors in the Carabao Cup as Eddie Howe's Newcastle begin their first defence of a trophy since 1969-70. Then, Arsenal's Mikel Arteta wheels up the Gunners for another potshot at his nemeses this weekend. The LassesTM had a difficult time at Birmingham on Sunday. Three-nil down after forty minutes, they salvaged some pride in the second half but will want to kickstart their campaign quickly. The retirement of Su Cumming was also announced this week; she's served Newcastle with distinction for a decade, but has dedicated her many talents to women's football across the North East for much longer.