July 4th signals the start of pre-season training for Newcastle United.
Considering it’s centred around fitness, most players don’t enjoy it. But the returning Magpies will likely be even more miserable.
Since they headed off on their holidays: Rafa Benitez has gone, Salomon Rondon won’t be coming back, a takeover hasn’t happened, Ayoze Perez is set to leave, and the fans are in revolt.
And who will welcome them to the state of the art training ground with open arms? Ben Dawson and Neil Redfearn. They’ll probably remind the players to watch out for the wet paint on the walls.
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The Magpies begin their pre-season journey with no manager and no new signings. There’ll hardly be anyone even at training. The loanees haven’t been signed permanently, Perez is on his way out, while some players are still on international duty.
But at least the likes of Jack Colback and Dwight Gayle will be there. Surely they’ll go straight back into the first-team picture. Considering the lack of options, they’ll have to.
The club is an absolute mess.
In a couple of weeks, we’ll be in China on a pre-season tour, competing in the Premier League Asia Trophy. I dread to think what state we’ll be in come July 17th when we take on Wolves.
Anyway, welcome back lads, to the club where dreams come to die.