Coventry away is like a blast from the past, almost a trip back to the late 90s. For me they were a team that characterised our first go at the Premier League, always a difficult place to go and with some real characters of the league. Peter Ndlovu, John Salako, Dion Dublin and Gordon Strachan. The whole of the place would be filled, rather like Filbert Street and they always seemed to be involved in a last minute race for survival. Ron Atkinson on the touchline, one famous moment when Given was the only Irishman who didn’t know where Dublin was and one of those clips that always makes it into a howlers video.
This weekend marks the end of the international break and another opportunity for the new Newcastle United to put on a show. Whilst it was a great win at Spurs, it is worth pointing out how bad they were and that it is one of our rare good performances away recently. Some of us have a memory of Kenny Miller lobbing Derby to a 1-0 win on their way to a record low points total, but Coventry got their first win at Forest before the break. They were good against Scam FC at the Etihad as well. The break may have come at the wrong time for them, just as it might have allowed us to get some people fit.
The rare trip to the East Midlands could be the opportunity to move towards the top four, but would require Newcastle to show better defensive shape than their last outing. Jaissle seems to be reshaping his first eleven and it will be interesting to see if Burn and Joelinton walk back into the team. It was a welcome sight to see Will Osula back out on the grass at the training ground last week. His return would be a real boost as the side really suits his style if we are going to be playing on the break. It will be another game that we are expected to dominate the ball so we could really do with having a plan for that, especially as we will likely need to score a couple.
Eight points in five games has been a good start to the season - getting into double figures would be a great way to kick on, especially with Villa then coming to SJP. This is a massive week for the squad, especially the midfield. I for one, would get the Brazilian samba man back in. We lack physicality in that position, he imposes himself so well on opposition who might try and run through us away from home. If Nico is back from concussion, you might imagine that pairing getting a bit of a run in midfield.
In fact, the bigger issue is on the wing. I wonder if this might be the game we see Barnes tried from the right and then Pardo get a go on the left. Wissa in the 10 and Osula leading the line. Might seem harsh on Willock, maybe the manager will disagree, yet I’d be keen to see what he looks like climbing off the bench as he did to great effect against Liverpool.
What about the opposition? I would think they will want to get down the flanks and attack our full backs if pushed up. I thought this worked to great effect when it was Dedic and Hall, but less so when we have had to play deeper. They seemed to have a good way of controlling the game against Forest, but as soon as they’d scored they seemed to be desperate to cling on. I am not sure they will try that with us, but they will want to get an early goal to give them the advantage.
They’ve not scored at home and are the lowest scorers in the division with one. So we should expect that they will try and break their duck at the CBS Arena. They are also yet to keep a clean sheet at home and Hull and Brighton have taken three points from their visits, while Villa won 3-1 in the Carabao.
Frank Lampard did ok with Chelsea, pretty dreadfully ultimately with Everton despite keeping them up, a great job at Coventry in the Championship but given his Scott Parker energy, I would imagine will have some issues keeping them up. Injuries to their front men haven’t helped, as well as their new striker being suspended. We should take advantage.
The international break was a weird one. We got the City verdict which I am still unsure if it is good or bad news for NUFC. The fact that they were found guilty means we should expect them to be punished (good) but I think it just means avenues for us to grow revenue quickly have closed further. Also it saw England’s three best players probably be Anderson, Gordon and Hall. Would have all looked good in black and white together … ah well that’s another blast from the past.
I think we will win this but I think it will be a hard watch. Good luck and safe travels to those in the away end - you deserve a performance after that shower at Leeds.
Into these, United.
Stephen Ord
SHOW RACISM THE RED CARD’S WEAR RED DAY is this coming Friday - 16/Oct/26. Given Reform Gateshead and Sunderland’s politically motivated decision to decline to light up the Millennium Bridge and defund this long-standing, local charity which has been supported by Newcastle United and numerous ex-players we are encouraging TF’s readers and listeners to support this event.
There is no way anyone who plays football or who goes to support their team should be racially abused. Click on the image for further details but if you can’t be bothered with that - just wear something red (I know, I know) this coming Friday. No Pasaran!
## TF Preview - Coventry (a), 12 Oct 2026
True Faith
·
Oct 11
TF Preview - Coventry (a), 12 Oct 2026
The last time the Mags visited Coventry City in a Premier League fixture, the respective managers in the dugouts were Gordon Strachan and the late, great Sir Bobby Robson. The date was 6 September 2000, and our black-and-white heroes, including Laurent Charvet, Rob Lee and Stephen Glass, returned home with a 2-0 victory, courtesy of goals from Alan Shea…
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## THRU BLACK & WHITE EYES - No Winners - 5/Oct/26
Michael Martin
·
Oct 5
THRU BLACK & WHITE EYES - No Winners - 5/Oct/26
I don’t think it is hyperbole to suggest English football is undergoing something of an existential crisis following the news of Manchester City’s apparent guilt of 115 breaches of the PL’s financial regulations. They were decided by some of the country’s finest legal minds after a hugely extended period of deliberation.
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TF You Tube
## TF Match Report ~ Mags hold on to beat Hull!
Michael Martin
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Sep 20
TF Match Report ~ Mags hold on to beat Hull!
Today felt going in like it could’ve been the biggest obvious banana skin we’ve seen for a while. Hull have started their Premier League campaign superbly, including a big win against Man United on the opening day, and managing to draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge who up until that point had looked like genuine title contenders.
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Football Stickers of Tyneside and beyond
Cities In Dust
Excellent piece by David Conn for The Guardian. David is a long standing Man City fan. Click here
Dirty Business
An excellent deep dive into the Man City verdict from football’s acknowledged expert. Give it a listen - available on all of the usual platforms.
Oh and this from … well you can see …
New Book - Howay The Lads - People’s History of Newcastle United!
New Book - Howay The Lads - People’s History of Newcastle United!
Newcastle United has always been more than a football club. For generations it has been one of the great expressions of North East identity – a source of pride, frustration, belonging and hope for a region with an unusually powerful sense of itself.
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## Review - Fascism and Football in Mussolini’s Italy!
Michael Martin
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Oct 1
Review - Fascism and Football in Mussolini’s Italy!
This review really should have been published ahead of the recent World Cup but I hadn’t listened to it then and to be honest the promotion of this podcast as a precursor to the recent doings would do it as a bit of a disservice.
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Look after yourself and each other - here
Newcastle United Supporters Club London are proud to announce our charity partner for the 2026/27 season - The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.
We will be in touch in due course with more information on the charity as well as ways you can get involved in fundraising over the course of the season.
For now, we like to share this save the date with you all for Sir Bobby Robson Day with our partners Hanwell Town in October.
More to be announced soon. Hope to see you there!
Freddie, Chair -
Newcastle United Supporters Club London
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The Special is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and ally Glenn Ashcroft.
Art work by Peter Willis.