We’ve seen more daunting starts to Newcastle United’s Premier League season that’s for sure.
And while Eddie Howe won’t be taking newly promoted Southampton, his old club AFC Bournemouth or Tottenham Hotspur lightly, he will be delighted that the Magpies have swerved any opening month encounters with any of the big four. Those encounters of course will come later but in a season in which Newcastle will be desperate to hit the ground running, Howe’s boys have been handed the chance to do exactly that.
Spats of the famous Adidas summer of 1995?
Just like 1995, Newcastle will walk out for the new season in a gleaming new Adidas kit and just like 1995, they will do so raring to go after just missing out on a place in Europe.
It was 19 years ago that fans also watched on nervously to see who would lift the FA Cup as it would be the destination of the famous old trophy that would decide whether passports would be dusted down or not in the 1995/96 campaign.
But it proved to be a blessing in disguise as Newcastle looked as good as their new kits, getting the season off to a flyer by beating Coventry City 3-0 in their opening home game and quickly moving to the top of the table. Fans will hope the clash against the Saints can be a similar opener.
Emotional visit to Portman Road ahead
Newcastle have not visited Ipswich Town in the Premier League since 2001 when Sir Bobby Robson was still manager of the Magpies. That day Nobby Solano grabbed the winner in a 1-0 victory and while Newcastle have played twice at Portman Road in the Championship, winning one and losing one, there is something special about a top-flight fixture between the two clubs that were closest to Sir Bobby’s heart.
Outside Portman Road there is also a Sir Bobby statue and fans will be eager to get a picture next to it. It promises to be an emotional day when the Tractor Boys clash with Newcastle.
Unless Newcastle are drawn against Everton in either of the domestic cups, the last visit to Goodison Park for Newcastle will come in October.
The Toffees will soon be moving on to their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium in Vauxhall meaning Newcastle get one final chance to triumph at Goodison Park with a date of October 5 currently set. Everton will also provide the opposition on the last game of the season at St James’ Park on May 25.
A kind festive fixture schedule
Newcastle fans have been afforded a home game on Boxing Day against Aston Villa and face the relatively short trip to Manchester United on December 29. They will see 2025 in with an away game against Spurs but that does not take place until January 4 with no fixtures set for New Year’s Day meaning it looks like a gentler festive calendar for the Toon Army.
