Newcastle took in seven pre-season matches and Chronicle Live was there every step of the way
Newcastle United Players and Staff huddle around an instruction board during a training session at La Manga Club
Newcastle United players and staff huddle around an instruction board during a training session at La Manga Club (Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Newcastle United have experienced a more chaotic pre-season than most this summer.
After all, their hugely successful head coach Eddie Howe left his role three games into the summer and was replaced by Matthias Jaissle with just two-and-a-half weeks to go until the Premier League season kicked off.
Four of the Magpies' most influential players - Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier have left the club - and they have been replaced by six players of whom none exceed the age of 24.
Goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen, midfielders Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba, winger Bazoumana Toure and right-back Amar Dedic have all joined the club at various stages of the summer, while a number of players' returns were staggered, too.
Dan Burn, Yoane Wissa, Anthony Elanga, Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade were all afforded extra time off due to representing their countries in the World Cup, while the likes of Lewis Miley and Joelinton have injuries to contend with during that time as well.
It has all made for a disjointed pre-season that has seen a mixture in terms of results. A 3-0 win over Darlington behind closed doors kicked off the summer and that was backed up with a 1-1 draw at Gateshead.
A 4-1 defeat to Bristol City proved to be Howe's final act as head coach so it is the final four matches under Jaissle that have been more instructive ahead of the new season.
A week-long warm weather training camp in La Manga culminated in a 2-1 win over Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium but the Magpies were brought back down to earth with a 3-1 defeat to Everton at Edinburgh's Murrayfield Stadium.
The summer then ended with the VisitMalta Weekender, with a Newcastle team split across two matches losing 2-1 to Bayer Leverkusen and drawing 1-1 with Strasbourg.
Here's what we learned and the inside story of Newcastle's pre-season campaign across the summer.
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Minutes men
Because of the reasons mentioned above, those players who returned at the start of pre-season were always going to be at the top of the minutes mark this summer.
Only two players racked up over 400 minutes over pre-season with Jacob Ramsey and Sean Steur getting the most extensive run-outs over the summer.
Both were among the most impressive performers in pre-season and it is set to be a battle between them and Lewis Miley for the two starting spots in midfield vs Liverpool.
Harvey Barnes' experience to this squad has taken on more importance and he made up the top three but the fact Joe Willock and Jaocb Murphy were in the top five may set alarm bells ringing given both players could leave in the next couple of weeks after entering the last years of their contracts.
Sven Botman and Lewis Hall also clocked up some impressive minutes but Botman's form, particularly in performances against Bristol City and Everton, raised more concerns than positivity but Hall's involvement across the summer should mean he can hit the ground running this season.
Newcastle players' minutes over pre-season:
Jacob Ramsey - 419
Sean Steur - 405
Harvey Barnes - 392
Jacob Murphy - 375
Joe Willock - 371
Sven Botman - 360
Lewis Hall - 351
Leo Shahar - 301
Lukas Hornicek - 270
Anthony Elanga - 248
Miodrag Pivas - 242
Mason Miley - 239
Will Osula - 225
Dylan Charlton - 212
Malick Thiaw - 207
Alex Murphy - 205
Ewen Jaouen - 202
Nick Woltemade - 198
Sean Neave - 188
Aladji Bamba, Bazoumana Toure, Yoane Wissa - 180
Nick Pope - 158
Fabian Schar - 123
Henry Johnson - 108
Rory Finneran - 93
Park Seung-soo - 92
Joelinton - 68
Trevan Sanusi - 58
Anthony Munda and Vakhtang Salia - 53
Dan Burn, Mason Miley, Luke Craggs - 45
Matheos Ferreira - 38
Jacob Ramsey of Newcastle United
Jacob Ramsey of Newcastle United(Image: Getty Images)
Top scorers
Barnes was Newcastle's second top scorer last season with 16 goals, one behind Gordon, and he has set his stall out this summer with goals against Bristol City and Everton.
Wissa has looked sharp and his brace against Valencia has raised hopes he could be about to show why Newcastle spent £55million to bring him to the club last summer.
Osula also bagged goals against Darlington and Strasbourg in what the club hope will be a big season for the Danish international this term while Sean Neave grabbed a goal in what has been a positive summer for the teenager. A loan move will surely follow for a player that has outgrown under-21s football.
Newcastle goalscorers during pre-season
Harvey Barnes, Yoane Wissa and Will Osula - 2
Malick Thiaw, Joe Willock, Sean Neave and an own goal - 1
Yoane Wissa and Will Osula
Yoane Wissa and Will Osula
Surprise packages and standout stars
Jaissle has not been afraid to use some of the club's under-21 players this summer and has handed starts to the likes of Mason Miley, Leo Shahar, Miodrag Pivas and Dylan Charlton.
Shahar featured most out of the four but it was Miley's performance against Bayer Leverkusen that made people stand up and take notice and the 17-year-old could be set for a competitive debut later this month - possibly in the Carabao Cup match against West Brom next week.
Steur has been the best of the new signings, looking really positive on the ball and the 18-year-old could be an exciting new addition. So, too, could Toure who has been electric on the left-wing.
Wissa and Elanga have both carried on their positive World Cup campaigns and they could be set for much better second seasons on Tyneside after struggling in their opening campaign at the club.
Mason Miley of Newcastle United
Mason Miley of Newcastle United(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Who is on notice?
There are players that could now be on the move following the conclusion of pre-season. Nick Pope featured in the first three matches of pre-season but has been told to find a new club since Jaissle arrived.
Willock is expected to leave, with Turkish side Besiktas keen to sign him, while Newcastle will also listen to offers for Murphy, too.
Neave and Shahar outgrew under-21s football last season and could be set for loan moves in the next couple of weeks, with opportunities at Newcastle set to be few and far between. Alex Murphy and Anthony Munda have already made loan moves away from the club.
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Likely Liverpool XI
Hornicek is set to be the number one goalkeeper but Jaouen looks set to give him a good battle this season. Dedic is expected to come straight into the team at right-back, with Thiaw and Burn the most likely central defensive partnership, with Hall at left-back.
Elanga and Toure are favourites to start out wide but the big decisions come in midfield. Ramsey and Steur have played the most minutes in midfield but Lewis Miley could come into the team ahead of a big season.
At number 10, Woltemade, Willock and Wissa have been used there and if pre-season form is anything to go by, Jaissle might be tempted to partner Wissa with Osula.
Likely Newcastle XI vs Liverpool: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; L.Miley, Ramsey; Elanga, Wissa, Toure; Osula