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Alexander Isak 2.0 Looking back almost a year to the day, Newcastle United were coming off the back of what was probably the worst pre-season transfer window imaginable, the striker, who won’t be named, had spat his dummy out and refused to play. He got his move belatedly and left us with a handful of cash and no time to spend it sensibly. The rest, as they say, is history. Fast forward to the last game of the 2025/26 season and the club were telling us mistakes had been made but rest assured we had learnt from them, and we would never find ourselves in that position again. Almost three months later and it’s safe to say that has turned out to be absolute bo..ocks. As Newcastle United fans we have had to sit back and watch the club sell the Crown Jewels and replace them with players who have potential but look, at best, raw. The rebrand was ‘Newcastle United 2.0’, the situation in fact looks like ‘Alexander Isak 2.0’. We have lost three of the most talented players on the books, we are six days away from the game against the scousers and I don’t mind saying I am terrified for the up-and-coming season. Again, we have a handful of readies and seemingly no interest in spending it or players interested in the move. Apparently, if you are negative as a fan, you are a doom monger, if you are overconfident, you are a happy clapper, I can tell you now, I am neither. I have followed this great club home and away my whole life and class myself as a genuine fan, no different to anyone else, I get behind the team, never leave till the final whistle, and spend every waking minute either talking, reading, or thinking about Newcastle United. These last few months have been without doubt some of the hardest I have ever had to endure, trying to find a positive in not only losing the heart of our team but also one of its favourite managers in recent times. I often wonder if the hierarchy at Newcastle United realise the stress the normal fan goes through, the communication seems non-existent. We have to listen to half-truths from local press, or a certain Italian, who likes to tell us that no one wants to play for us. I guess that is the the hardest thing to take, no one seems willing to make the trek north to ply their trade with us. I know in the past we have had this issue but lately it seems to have escalated to where players are stripped of their captaincy at their present club rather than having to play in the north east….absolutely incredible. So why the rant? I guess it’s borne out of frustration, I honestly believe after watching the two home friendlies this weekend that the only thing keeping us up is the hope there are three worse teams than Newcastle United this season. The young talent we have bought look promising, but they would have been more welcome as back up to an established midfield, not as a replacement. I continue to read the names linked with us and realise we are replacing top quality players with names who have played and been rejected from other Premier League clubs – Palhinha, Hojbjerg, Curtis Jones, the list goes depressingly on and on. We are running head first into a season of unknowns led by a manager who looks promising but inexperienced at this level. I would normally try to finish on a positive, but the tank is seriously half full, I have seen worse over the years and will continue to pay my money and turn up regardless. Roll on the Kevin Keegan tribute and the fantastic work Wor Flags do, dreading the rest of the day and the inevitable rat celebration! If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk