Episode 2: Liverpool Thriller, Newcastle United’s Future and Remembering Kevin Keegan

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.

Special guest Chris Budd from My Old Man Said joins Jamie, Simon, and Hutch for Episode 11.

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.