Charlotte Robson
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesFrom a fixtures point of view, the start to the season has been decent for Newcastle United. Unbeaten in the league and through in the cup, and no injuries yet.
The start of the season has, however, also brought with it the end of a transfer window which, from a fan point of view, has been very disappointing.
This view seems to be held within the club, too, as last week fans of Newcastle United were treated to an interview with our new sporting director, Paul Mitchell, who sat down with the press for 90 minutes to give his take on what’s been going on behind the scenes this summer.
It was an interesting interview not least because Mitchell did it in the first place.
There had been critical noise on social media and beyond on our transfer strategy this summer after our window consisted of one very public and failed attempt to secure Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.
We also got Lloyd Kelly on a free, converted Lewis Hall from a loan to a permanent player and signed some more goalkeepers.
That he chose to meet the media and give the club’s side of things is an unusual move – though I commend the efforts at transparency. It is a far cry from how the club was run before!
The fact that the interview went into a little detail about how Mitchell has come in and facilitated an existing strategy rather than implementing something new, as he joined the club mid-window, was also of note.
He made a commitment to not paying over the odds for players, and insinuated it would be his way in the future.
It does feel like a summer of change for Newcastle, just not on the squad side.
I’m very interested to see how this develops and impacts our club in the longer term.
Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external
