The most encouraging sound of the first two games of Newcastle United’s new era?
Not the roar of St James’ Park hailing five goals in a pair of encouraging results for their new-look team. Not the instructions barked out by dynamic new boss Matthias Jaissle from the touchline, either.
No, insiders have noted that the sound of defensive blocks – “The thwack of a football against limbs,” one said – is back at a Newcastle side that seem re-energised.
It is a tongue-in-cheek point but one that reveals much about where the club felt things had gone wrong with their misfiring squad last season, and what they have done to try and put it right in this summer of unprecedented change.
Commitment is key. There is an acknowledgement now that some of their most important players had “mentally checked out” before a wretched 2025-26 campaign was over and were already thinking about their next move. It was a situation they could not allow to be repeated.
