Newcastle United’s disappointing defeat to Aston Villa, the controversial new version of Blaydon Races at St James’ Park and the growing divide between the Premier League’s established elite and the chasing pack dominate this week’s Mag Pod. Jamie Smith is joined by Simon Cahill and David Hutchinson for a lively discussion of Newcastle’s worrying form, the future of matchday atmosphere and whether the financial rules are preventing clubs like Newcastle from challenging at the top.

Fresh from the Villa match, the trio reflect on another miserable performance and ask an uncomfortable question: would supporters now happily accept 14th place and no cup success? With Newcastle struggling to create chances, defensive errors becoming increasingly costly and new players still finding their feet, there are genuine concerns about where the season might be heading.

Away from the football, attention turns to the re-recorded Blaydon Races and whether a slower, more atmospheric rendition really belongs at St James’ Park. That opens up a thoroughly entertaining debate about Newcastle United chants, from the enduring appeal of Local Hero to the songs that inspire supporters and those that drive them absolutely mad. Hutch has particularly strong feelings about one old favourite.

The discussion then moves into more serious territory, prompted by an article on The Mag examining how football’s biggest clubs established their dominance. From Liverpool’s rise to the modern financial restrictions facing Newcastle, the lads consider whether the current system protects established powers and what that means for the future of competitive football.

Finally, attention turns to Crystal Palace away, with the panel searching for reasons to be optimistic ahead of another potentially difficult afternoon.

It's another episode combining frustration, football history, terrace nostalgia and plenty of gallows humour as the lads attempt to make sense of life supporting Newcastle United.

Key Moments

00:17 – Introduction and Aston Villa reaction

01:14 – Would you accept 14th place?

04:28 – Newcastle's attacking and defensive problems

10:24 – Who is to blame?

14:19 – Refereeing controversy against Villa

16:55 – The new Blaydon Races recording

19:58 – Matchday atmosphere at St James’ Park

23:58 – Newcastle chants and terrace favourites

32:56 – The Mag and football's financial divide

36:49 – Can Newcastle challenge the established elite?

40:18 – The future of football and breakaway leagues

45:17 – Financial restrictions and competitive fairness

49:13 – Crystal Palace away preview and predictions

51:41 – Final thoughts and sign-off

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa's growing rivalry, the challenges of rebuilding two

ambitious Premier League clubs and the potential fallout from Manchester City's

financial charges take centre stage in this special crossover edition of The Mag Pod.

Joined by Chris Budd from Aston Villa podcast My Old Man Said, the lads look

ahead to Saturday's meeting at St James' Park, revisit the clubs' shared history and

ask whether either side can break through the Premier League's established

hierarchy.

There's plenty of common ground between Newcastle and Villa, from difficult

ownership eras and Championship football to European adventures and long-

awaited silverware. But there's also some unfinished business, particularly around

Newcastle's relegation at Villa Park in 2009 and the bad blood that followed.

The conversation moves into the modern era, comparing Eddie Howe's Newcastle

with Unai Emery's Villa and exploring how both clubs have been forced to adapt

following significant departures. With wealthy owners but financial regulations

restricting their spending, are Newcastle and Villa being prevented from building on

their success?

That leads into a lively debate about Manchester City's financial case, the fairness of

Premier League spending rules and what appropriate punishments might look like if

wrongdoing is established. The panel considers whether the current system protects

the traditional elite and whether a major shake-up could create opportunities for

ambitious challengers.

Attention eventually turns to Saturday's Newcastle v Aston Villa fixture. Chris offers

an insight into Villa's rebuilt squad, Emery's evolving tactics and the players

Newcastle supporters should watch, while the lads weigh up home advantage,

European commitments and the unpredictability of two teams in transition.

There's also time to discuss what success might look like for both clubs this season,

the value of European football and why winning trophies means so much more than

simply balancing the books.

A good-humoured crossover with plenty of football debate, shared frustrations and a

healthy dose of Newcastle–Villa rivalry.

Key Moments

00:22 – Introduction and My Old Man Said

04:45 – Supporting Newcastle and Villa through the bad times

07:23 – Newcastle United v Aston Villa: A shared history

08:30 – Newcastle's 2009 relegation at Villa Park

12:22 – Relegation, Championship football and rebuilding

16:18 – Newcastle and Villa's modern resurgence

16:44 – Eddie Howe v Unai Emery

20:42 – Could Villa lose Unai Emery?

24:08 – Summer departures and rebuilding both squads

28:00 – Financial rules and the Premier League hierarchy

33:28 – Manchester City's financial charges

38:11 – The traditional elite and football's changing landscape

42:31 – Sympathy for Manchester City supporters?

46:02 – What punishment should Manchester City face?

51:08 – Newcastle United v Aston Villa preview

52:31 – Villa's form and match predictions

55:23 – Aston Villa's players to watch

58:29 – Newcastle's home advantage

59:26 – Villa's ambitions for the season

01:01:58 – Champions League, Europa League and the value of trophies

01:05:24 – Final thoughts and sign-off

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newcastle United's miserable 4–1 defeat at Coventry City takes centre stage as Jamie Smith, David Hutchinson and Simon Carhill return for Episode 10 of The Mag Pod. The trio pick apart another worrying defensive display, question Newcastle's attacking decision-making and consider whether the latest setback is a sign of deeper problems. There's also a lively debate about the most annoying habits of supporters at St James' Park, before the lads choose their Newcastle United heroes, cult heroes and villains of the 2020s.

The mood is understandably bleak after Newcastle concede four goals to a newly promoted side, following another heavy defeat against Leeds. Despite enjoying plenty of possession and creating opportunities, familiar weaknesses at both ends of the pitch leave plenty to discuss. Fernandez-Pardo's finishing, Sven Botman's form, Joelinton's fitness and the performances of recent signings all come under scrutiny. But is the reaction to Newcastle's latest defeat justified, or are supporters getting carried away with early-season pessimism?

Things take a lighter turn with a supporters' poll about the worst habits of fellow Newcastle fans. From leaving before the final whistle and disappearing for half-time pints to relentless negativity, questionable chanting and clapping the attendance, the discussion produces plenty of disagreements and some familiar grievances.

The conversation then turns to The Mag's heroes and villains of the 2020s, with Amanda Staveley, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Joelinton and Fabian Schär among those receiving praise. At the opposite end of the scale, Steve Bruce, Alexander Isak, Paul Mitchell and others come under fire as the lads reflect on the decisions and departures that have shaped Newcastle's recent history.

Finally, there's a brief look towards Aston Villa and news of a special additional podcast featuring Chris Budd from My Old Man Said, exploring the challenges facing both clubs as they attempt to break into the established Premier League elite.

Key Moments

00:00 – Introduction and Coventry defeat reaction

04:10 – How Newcastle lost 4–1 at Coventry

11:42 – Defensive problems and concerns for the season

15:15 – The most annoying Newcastle matchday habits

22:17 – Negativity in the stands

24:29 – Leaving before the final whistle

27:26 – Newcastle United's heroes and villains of the 2020s

28:48 – Heroes of the decade

35:03 – Cult heroes of the decade

45:16 – Villains of the decade

52:53 – Cult villains and the impact of transfers

59:36 – Aston Villa preview and special podcast announcement

01:01:16 – Closing thoughts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newcastle United are brought firmly back down to earth this week as The Mag Pod picks through a bruising 4-1 defeat at Leeds United and asks whether it was simply a bad night or a warning of bigger problems ahead.

Jamie, Simon and Hutch examine a performance in which Newcastle struggled physically, created little going forward and looked increasingly vulnerable as the game unfolded. The discussion turns to the lack of experience and leadership in the side, the impact of injuries and whether the current system is giving the defence enough protection. There is also plenty of debate around individual performances, from Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw at the back to Sean Sturr’s difficult evening after being introduced early, while Newcastle’s reliance on “vertical football” comes under scrutiny.

Amid the gloom, the panel considers the wider picture and whether patience is required with a young squad and a new manager. A comparison with a famous 4-1 defeat at Elland Road during the Kenny Dalglish era provides an uncomfortable historical parallel, while attention also turns to Newcastle’s upcoming fixtures and the importance of responding quickly.

The mood changes as the lads attempt a live watch-along of the Carabao Cup draw, hoping for one of the remaining lower-league sides before discovering Newcastle’s next opponents. There is the usual mix of tension, conspiracy theories and questionable football analysis as the balls come out.

Finally, attention switches to Hull City at St James’ Park. After the disappointment at Leeds, Newcastle need a response before the international break, but with promoted Hull enjoying an encouraging start to life in the Premier League, nobody is expecting an easy afternoon.

Key Moments

00:18 – Leeds United 4-1 Newcastle United

07:38 – Blip or cause for concern?

09:36 – Newcastle’s defensive problems and missing leadership

20:14 – Problems in attack and the lack of an outlet

23:42 – The Leeds defeat and an uncomfortable historical parallel

31:23 – Carabao Cup draw watch-along

41:55 – Newcastle draw Everton away

47:03 – Looking ahead to Hull City

54:36 – Final thoughts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newcastle United are safely through to the next round of the League Cup, and Episode 5 of The Mag Pod reflects on a successful, if not entirely convincing, trip to Millwall. Jamie reports back from The Den after Newcastle's 1-0 win, with Joe Willock's goal proving enough to send United through and keep their unbeaten start under the new manager intact.

The panel pick apart a performance that produced plenty of possession and attacking situations without enough cutting edge. There is debate over whether Newcastle should have made far lighter work of depleted Championship opposition, or whether the only thing that really matters in cup football is getting your name into the next round. Lewis Hall's impressive display comes in for particular praise, while Willock's performance – and whether he really deserved the official man of the match award, sparks a lively disagreement.

Jamie also shares his experience of a first Newcastle visit to The Den, from navigating his way through the Millwall support to the atmosphere inside the ground – and, naturally, the important matter of a late-night McDonald's afterwards.

Attention then turns to the League Cup itself and what Newcastle might need from the next draw to put together another serious run in the competition. With some potentially difficult ties elsewhere, the panel consider how quickly the tournament could open up with a little luck.

Finally, there's a look ahead to Monday night's Premier League trip to Leeds United. After contrasting meetings last season and Newcastle's mixed performances so far this campaign, the panel discuss what sort of challenge awaits at Elland Road and whether another positive result can keep the early momentum going.

Key Moments

00:18 – Introduction and Jamie's trip to Millwall

04:20 – Reaction from The Den after Newcastle's 1-0 win

07:02 – Assessing Newcastle's performance against Millwall

21:35 – Lewis Hall, Joe Willock and the standout performers

26:18 – League Cup draw and Newcastle's chances

30:31 – Looking ahead to Leeds away

36:31 – Final thoughts

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.