You will have heard everyone’s opinion this week on whether Newcastle United should be changing their manager. As ever with this football club, it’s partisan.
Is everyone bored with it yet?
Like grief, a Newcastle United managerial merry go round has stages to it. First it’s usually denial, then anger. However, our supporters do that at exactly the same time.
The final whistle at Selhurst Park has just about shrilled when the words ‘Bedwetters’ and ‘Happy Clappers’ and other jibes were getting thrown at each other from across the proverbial barricades (social media) like when it’s muddy at Glastonbury and some wags decide to launch some clems at each other.
Bargaining is next up. In other words someone tries to explain what we could have done better.
In NUFC terms that means everyone and their aunt is having a go at telling us what Howe has done wrong. Including that irritating bloke from work who only pipes up when we drop below 13th in the league. Lesser spotted since the bacon went off.
Like when there is a war on, we seem to have a million war correspondents. Newcastle fans are like Jeremy Bowen at the minute, but like that time he told the Mujahideen he was a woman and got away with it.
Depression next.
We’ve all looked at the table and wondered if we COULD get dragged in. Don’t lie to this True Faith correspondent, when Leeds went 2-0 up on Monday, you had a sneaky look, didn’t you? That’s all part of the process folks. Thank god for Chelsea away is all I can say .
And finally acceptance.
This is my take anyway. If someone had said to you before Villa Park, on that baking hot August morning of our first game, that we would be 14th in the league with half a dozen games left, nearer a relegation place than top four at that stage, out of every cup competition, having lost twice to Sunderland, and playing with the urgency of a snail, with a team of players rightly described as square pegs into round holes, you would think that at the arse end of the season the manager’s job would be in doubt? Emphatically, yes, you would.
The man himself surely knows this as well. Newcastle have had a terrible season and change will come on the back of it. No one will come out of this unscathed. Do I trust those in charge to do it with humility, class and professionalism?
Er, do I fuck, in all honesty.
There is also another stage in the NUFC grieving process. It’s called the ‘Special One Stage’. We get linked with Mourinho. People do AI mock ups of Sir Bobby Robson appearing from the sky giving him the Midas touch like Trump on that Jesus thingy.
Yes, that’s when insanity kicks in. Time to see a medical professional when you are at that stage. That’s serious. A bit like that film where people got aroused over car crashes. Symphorophilia is the term, I believe. Crash is the film, I believe.
Nurse!
If you want more in depth and quite frankly better analysis than what you are getting here check out Michael’s latest ‘Through Black and White Eyes’ down below. That will do the trick.
One person who seems to be getting away with this is Jason Tindall. OK, he’s just the assistant, but when things go spectacularly right it’s “Howe and Tindall”, but never when things go wrong. I’ve always thought the whole fawning of him was as cringey as fuck and maybe im going well over the top here, but it’s just bugged me this week, alright?
On to Bournemouth then. Yes, we do have another game and, yes, I know you are looking forward to it. You all are really. I’ve heard a lot of people say this week that the Cherries are the worst team to be playing right now. To be truthful, anyone in the league is tough right now.
The worry for me is that if they get the early goal. That could turn ugly. You know what though, we are Newcastle. Has the day seriously come when we are scared of Bournemouth at home? Seriously has it? Let’s get real here, we should still win this football match.
We need to get out of this rut and start winning football matches again. We have to do this on Saturday. No excuses.
We had a quite absurd game with Bournemouth only four months ago. The collective groan when we let in a comedy third goal only seconds after seemingly winning the FA Cup tie in January will never leave me. If ever a groan summed up a season.
At least we won on pens that day, more than we did against Bournemouth on 22 January 1992. Probably one of the lowest points in United history and if you fancy reading a story of fog, four quid tickets and Matty Appleby turning into Shearer have a look at this Flashback.
It’s customary, whether you like it or not, that when I do ‘The Special’ I have to make up a five a side team of players who have represented both clubs. It might be getting a tad tired (ed. never!) but here it is again.
Ramsdale has to go in nets doesn’t he? He had better keep his concentration, though, or he’s going to be in the Southampton one next year.
Silvain Distin may have been “one greedy bastard” back in the day, but he has the same birthday as me. Matt Ritchie. Yes please. Gavin Peacock. Of course he can and he can have THAT beard as well. Callum Wilson. So can he.
No subs. That team is good enough without having to invite the likes of Fraser, Woodman and Dan Gosling, thanks very much.
And with that nonsense, that’s me done.
It might actually all be OK, you know. You never know you might actually enjoy it. Remember what that feels like ?
No, me neither.
Scott Robson
No Room For Racism
Along with our only members based, democratic supporters organisation, Newcastle United Supporters Trust we fully support – click here
Geordies Are Black & White!
Match Preview
TF Preview – Bournemouth (h), 18 April 2026
AFC Bournemouth…
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a day ago · 5 likes · 2 comments · True Faith
Match Report
TF Match Report – United throw it away again with listless display
Today was one of those days I asked myself on a repeated basis from around 14:10 onwards why I bother to rinse the best part of two tonne on something that brings me such misery. There’s no dressing this drivel up in excuses like ‘it was a bad summer’ or ‘we’re playing too many games’ or ‘Eddie has been shafted by shit signings’ or tiredness or injuries…
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6 days ago · 28 likes · 25 comments · Michael Martin
TF You Tube
Football stickers of Tyneside and beyond
Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Reading List
Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap …
If you love your football history as I do and you have a fondness for Calcio or indeed European football then this looks like it could be an essential read or listen. The 1960s was likely Inter’s golden period when they were the apotheosis of defensive or what some referred to as Catenaccio football. Herrera was its controversial architect and Inter the masters of the dark arts of the beautiful game. Definitely one to get through over the spring and summer.
Catenaccio explanation and history
Money Talk
Newcastle United accounts – Andy Trobe, True Faith
NUFC Accounts 25-26 – Full Analysis
Newcastle have released their financial accounts for the year 2024/25. This was a season where we qualified for the Champions League and won our first domestic trophy in 70 years…
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3 days ago · 14 likes · 3 comments · True Faith
Newcastle United accounts – Swiss Ramble
Newcastle United Finances 2024/25
Newcastle United’s 2024/25 accounts cover a “memorable” season, when the club won their first major trophy for 70 years after defeating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final…
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5 days ago · 16 likes · Swiss Ramble
Newcastle United Accounts – Matthew Philpotts
NUFC Accounts 2025-26 – The Good and the Bad
Like most things to do with NUFC right now, the latest annual accounts are something of a Rorschach test. An indecipherable inkblot onto which you project your subconscious fantasies and fears. Whether you see them as positive or negative rather depends on whether your drinking vessel is half-empty or half-full…
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17 days ago · 24 likes · 4 comments · True Faith
Ticket To Ride
An interesting development amongst Liverpool fans unhappy at rising ticket prices and deep concerns that the cost of tickets at Anfield will further price out local supporters unable to pay what out of town, tourist fans can. Sound familiar? Here is the full statement from the LFC Supporters Trust, the Spirit of Shankly – click here. Is the time coming when NUFC fans via the NUST and Wor Flags will express unhappiness at rising prices? Hmm.
Other commentary on Liverpool’s rising ticket prices
Ticket To Chaos: Liverpool Price Rises Show A Club Lacking Direction And Common Sense
WHEN JOHN W HENRY and his fellow investors bought Liverpool on the cheap 16 years ago, they saw a huge opportunity. It was not just that the club was a massively undervalued asset…
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11 days ago · 19 likes · 9 comments · Tony Evans
TF Review
Review – 1312 – Among The Ultras – James Montague
No prizes for what 1312 denotes as your starter for ten. Ahem…
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10 days ago · 6 likes · 1 comment · True Faith
Thru Black & White Eyes
THRU BLACK & WHITE EYES – Leadership – 13/Apr/26
Cast your minds back to the time shortly after the takeover in 2021 following Howe’s appointment. The club was under pressure in a fight against relegation and objectively we were on the slide…
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5 days ago · 26 likes · 12 comments · Michael Martin
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The Special is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and ally Glenn Ashcroft.
Art work by Peter Willis.
Michael Martin – @tfMick1892.bsky.social