The international break continues, but there is still plenty for The Mag Pod to get stuck into as the panel return for a mix of Newcastle United news, nostalgia and some increasingly ambitious attempts to rewrite the club's history.

First up is Newcastle's updated club badge, with the panel looking back at the consultation process and assessing what has actually changed. From the streamlined design and its more digitally friendly appearance to the new secondary castle crest, they discuss whether all the build-up was necessary and why keeping the traditional identity intact was ultimately the most important thing.

Then comes a new challenge inspired by Quantum Leap: if you could go back to any moment in Newcastle United history and change something that once went wrong, where would you go? The conversation revisits some of the biggest near-misses of the last 30 years, including the 1995/96 Premier League title race, Sir Bobby Robson's UEFA Cup run and a costly League Cup night at Stamford Bridge. Could one altered moment have changed Newcastle's entire trajectory?

Away from football, Jamie reports back from a night watching the newly renamed Newcastle Red Bulls at Kingston Park before attention returns to United's players on international duty. The panel round up the latest appearances, goals and injury concerns ahead of the return of club football, while Newcastle United Women continue their perfect start to the league season.

Finally, there's discussion of the ongoing Manchester City situation and what it could mean for the Premier League before Newcastle finally return to action. After three weeks without a United game, competitive football is almost back and the international-break improvisation can finally come to an end.

Key Moments

00:17 – Introduction

01:32 – Newcastle United's updated club badge

10:04 – Newcastle United Quantum Leap

14:11 – Rewriting the 1995/96 Premier League title race

22:00 – Sir Bobby Robson and the 2004 UEFA Cup run

29:06 – Changing Newcastle's 2023 League Cup exit at Chelsea

37:12 – Another chance to rewrite Sir Bobby's Newcastle history

43:18 – Newcastle Red Bulls and a night at Kingston Park

48:59 – Newcastle players on international duty

55:01 – Newcastle United Women maintain their perfect start

55:42 – Manchester City and the Premier League appeal

59:24 – Final thoughts

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With Newcastle United taking a back seat during the international break, this week’s The Mag Pod turns its attention to some of the biggest stories surrounding football, while still finding plenty to discuss from a black-and-white perspective.

The main talking point is Manchester City and the reports surrounding the Premier League’s long-running case against the club. The panel considers what an eventual punishment could look like, from points deductions and relegation to transfer restrictions, as well as the wider consequences for players and other clubs. There’s also discussion about what the situation could mean for Newcastle United and the Premier League’s financial rules in the years ahead.

Attention then turns to Newcastle United Women after their 4-0 victory over Leicester City at Gateshead International Stadium. Hutch gives his verdict on the match and the experience of attending with his daughter, with Newcastle’s strong start to the season and their upcoming fixtures also coming under the spotlight.

There’s a lively debate about proposals to allow supporters to drink alcohol while watching men’s football matches in England. Would being able to take a pint into the stands improve the matchday experience, or simply lead to more disruption, queues and supporters being showered in beer whenever Newcastle score?

Finally, the international break gets some attention, including Anthony Gordon’s England performance and an increasingly chaotic attempt to run through Newcastle’s international contingent. With no Premier League match to send nerves through the roof, it’s a more relaxed episode, although, inevitably, things don’t remain entirely sensible for long.

Key Moments

00:18 – Introduction

01:38 – Manchester City and the Premier League charges

34:39 – Newcastle United Women beat Leicester City

41:15 – Drinking alcohol in football stands

51:46 – England and Newcastle’s internationals

57:33 – Final thoughts

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Newcastle United head into the international break with three points on the board after a tense 2-1 victory over Hull City at St James’ Park, and this week’s The Mag Pod looks back on a game that started comfortably before becoming far more nervy than anyone would have liked.

The panel discuss Newcastle’s impressive opening, Joe Willock’s performance, Sean Steur’s influence in midfield and what happened after his departure as Hull piled on the pressure. There’s also a look at Lewis Miley’s afternoon, the impact of injuries and whether the vertical style of football is beginning to take shape despite the squad still adapting to a new approach.

From there, the conversation moves into something much bigger than one result. After Jamie’s son Blake attended his 100th Newcastle match, the panel reflect on football, family and the importance of passing a connection with Newcastle United through the generations. They discuss the difficulty younger supporters now face getting into St James’ Park, the importance of keeping that match-going culture alive and why Newcastle United’s identity is tied so closely to the city and its community.

Simon also explains his own journey from supporting Newcastle outside the region to moving to the city and becoming part of that community, while the discussion considers whether the increasingly global and commercial nature of football risks losing some of what makes the English game special.

Finally, it’s time to revisit some pre-season predictions. Five Premier League games in, the panel look back at their expectations for Newcastle, revise their predicted finishing positions and reconsider the top six and relegation battle before looking ahead to the international break and Newcastle United Women’s excellent start to the season.

Key Moments

00:18 – Introduction and Hull City reaction

04:47 – Sean Steur, Lewis Miley and Newcastle losing control

12:33 – Is Newcastle’s vertical football working?

16:46 – Joe Willock and the standout performers

20:37 – Football, family and 100 Newcastle games

27:15 – The challenge of getting the next generation into St James’ Park

30:39 – Football culture, the Super League and Newcastle’s community

34:31 – Simon’s journey as a Newcastle supporter

41:20 – Revisiting the pre-season predictions

55:11 – Newcastle United Women and the international break

59:12 – Closing thoughts

Total time – 59:12

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