John Gibson looks ahead to the big game as SuperMac breaks his silence on the Isak situation
Newcastle United's Alexander Isak warming up
Liverpool transfer target Alexander Isak(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
This is maybe not quite a new Newcastle in terms of all consuming change but it feels like we are still seeing a significant shift in the squad. Not the second coming under the expert guidance of Eddie Howe but a step outside of the regimented march towards Utopia.
After numerous transfer windows when nought happened and 'same again' rang out over Tyneside rooftops there has been a significant reshuffle.
First and foremost there is no Alexander Isak. United are without their most influential player and ace goal plunderer and that in itself is massive. Unthinkable just a matter of months ago. Messy in the extreme now.
Then Anthony Elanga will be making his home debut if selected to start United's first home match of the new season as expected. Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw will be appearing in front of United's faithful for the first time if they get on. And Aaron Ramsdale will be sitting on the subs' bench where Martin Dubravka once was.
Isak is missing, Callum Wilson has gone after years of service, and Anthony Gordon, albeit probably temporarily, will be playing in the most iconic position on United's roster.
Yes, it seems different all right and when the opposition is Premier League champions Liverpool it means a Herculean effort is required to achieve any reward. A hero needed like Malcolm Macdonald who at the young age of 21 on his home debut against a Liverpool side bristling with superstars like Kevin Keegan, John Toshack, Emlyn Hughes, Tommy Smith, Ray Clemence and Larry Lloyd smashed a hat-trick to enter Tyneside folk law.
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Appropriately SuperMac will be back at SJP this very night after a full year's absence through physical problems. Welcome back my friend and may you witness a soaring evening of joy even if Newcastle don't have a goalscoring icon of your fabulous ability. No Isak no chance? No we cannot have that but the challenge to rise above his absence is unquestionably there.
Speaking publicly for the first time since United's current centre-forward did a runner into hiding amid growing controversy SuperMac insisted: "Isak has committed the cardinal sin _ footballers must play football. He has chosen not to and it is unforgivable. You cannot do that. He is in breach of contract, he has sacrificed his legacy at a great football club, sickened fans who adored him, and badly let down team-mates who helped to make him.
"Players have a right to question his behaviour. United would have won at Aston Villa had he played but the one good thing to come out of all this is that those who pulled on the shirt showed huge togetherness and team spirit. They bonded and cared.
"What has happened is awful yet it is only a few months ago that United won the Carabao Cup to make history through the success of two goalscorers. Dan Burn went on to play for England and will be a Geordie hero for the rest of his life while Isak wants to scuttle off to join the beaten finalists.
"Football will judge Isak in a different way after the stance he has taken. His talented is beyond doubt but clubs will wonder if they can trust him. If he goes to Liverpool they will end up wondering if he will do the same to them if Real Madrid or Barcelona come calling in a couple of years time."
SuperMac of course is one of United's No.9 Legends, a band of brothers which Isak himself might well have joined under different circumstances.
Macdonald explained: "Players can leave Newcastle and still be revered by the fans as long as they don't disrespect the club. I left for Arsenal and Les Ferdinand for Spurs but supporters knew it was the decision of the manager not ours. Peter Beardsley went to Liverpool because the club were happy to take the money. That's very different to Isak. None of us went on strike to force a transfer. Far from it."
The game is certainly set up to be a barnstormer... a Bank Holiday Monday under the lights, passion at fever pitch, all Geordie boys bonded as one on terrace and turf, a growing belief that mighty odds can be overcome.
Even without Isak, without a recognised goalscoring centre-forward, SuperMac believes United can win just as they did so gloriously on his home debut.
"If Bournemouth can score two away from home at Liverpool playing on the counter then United can score two at St James Park," he told me. "I can see them winning 2-1."
Me? My nightmare scenario is Hugo Etikike scoring Liverpool's winner, my ultimate joy 1-0 to us with Anthony Gordon notching the golden goal. Would that be sweet or what? As someone who played for both clubs once said: 'I'd love it, love it!'