We are soooooo back! That's Pod on the Tyne, not (necessarily) Newcastle United.

Yes, it's been a typically Newcastle-y summer. Off the back of a glorious, trophy-winning, Champions League-qualifying season, Eddie Howe's plans for the new term have been thrown a gigantic Swedish curveball by Alexander's agitating antics.

Isak aside, it might actually be developing into a decent transfer window.  With three signings, all in high-priority positions, and one or two more looking likely, Howe might like the shape of his squad overall. Meanwhile, Becky Langley has added some serious talent to the women's team, and there may be more to come there as well.

Ultimately, we're all just glad to be back after some distractions of our own. Isak or no, we're looking forward to a bright future as an independent purveyor of podcasts. Less so, the 13.1-mile slog from Cowgate to South Shields... please sponsor our Great North Runners via this link!