Jashari seemed like being the statement signing to help the post-Reijnders rebuild, and yet by the time the summer window closed, he found himself jostling with the likes of Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot, Youssouf Fofana and Samuele Ricci. The injury really did not help the settling in process, and more on that is to come, but the idea was probably always that the first season would be about learning behind Modric, one of the best to ever play the role of midfield metronome.
I do not hide this. Flick was the person who changed me. Not the mentality because I've always had it, but he changed my belief of knowing where I could get. [He showed me] Where I could get as a player and how to evolve as a person. I always say it, he changed everything for me and I don't hide.
We have made efforts to sign Cancelo because he has shown time and time again that he's a crazy Barcelona fan. That is a rare feeling nowadays in plays, and we are trying to bring it back. I didn't bring anyone in; I just try to do my best. I don't like these accolades; the club is what matters.
After electrifying the game as a 16 and 17-year-old, when it was announced Kobe McDonald was going at the end of this season, the Mayo people's disappointment was like the time the Templenoe parish priest told his flock that Pat Spillane's first baby was a girl.
Newcastle don't want to put the player up for sale at the moment. Not even Woltemade wants to make a move now. If he were to do so now, it would give off the impression that he hasn't "made it" at Newcastle. He wants to prove that he's better and is good enough for Newcastle.
They're going to keep playing, man. Even if they don't knock down shots they're going to get 2nd chances, crash the boards, rebounds, find the open man, get to the FT line, move the ball, get the ball to Bam. Try to execute from there. They're going to play hard, they have guards who can penetrate/drive and kick/that's what they do. It has to be constant pressure.
After a dreadful season in 2024 the sentiment towards Isaiah Drake swung rapidly red, and even following an impressive 2025 his national reputation is still trying to recover. Drake was awful in 2024, but with the combination of his age and the injuries that riddled that season it was not a huge surprise that he bounced back in 2025.
I think I have improved a lot in my offensive game in the last two years. This year, playing with Logan Shaw and Vinni Lettieri for most of the year has been really, really helpful. I have been really focused on my offensive game more than my defensive game. Shawsy was taking all of the responsibilities defensively, and that helped me kind of... not forget about that part, but show my skills a little bit more in that regard.
I've improved a lot since Hansi arrived. I think he's helped me develop many aspects of my game. And I think I'm having a good season with him. He's a very demanding coach, but also very approachable. He's helped me with decision-making and also with scoring goals, always staying focused during the game, and also in defence. I think he's helped me in almost every aspect as a player.
