The Mag Podcast Episode 14: Everton misery, Newcastle’s transfer failings and the Blame game

Published: 4/11/2026 | Duration: 54 mins | Hosts: Jamie Smith, Simon Cahill & David Hutchinson

In Episode 14 of The Mag Pod, we find Jamie, Simon, and Hutch discussing their experience of Everton misery (again!). Who or what do you point the finger at for how things are now looking at St James’ Park? Are there any answers, or just endless additional questions about the direction the club is heading in?

You can play episode 14 on the audio player above or use your favourite podcast platforms including , Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Acast.

Newcastle United’s miserable run against Everton, growing relegation fears and questions over the club’s transfer spending dominate this week’s Mag Pod.

Jamie Smith is joined by Simon Cahill and David Hutchinson to pick through another dismal night at St James’ Park, the disappointment of exiting the Carabao Cup and the increasingly uncomfortable debate over who is responsible for Newcastle’s dramatic decline.

The lads begin with Monday night’s 1-0 home defeat to Everton, a performance that left supporters frustrated long before the final whistle. With misplaced passes, little attacking threat and a tactical system that appears to be causing more problems than it solves, there’s plenty to discuss about what has gone wrong on the pitch.

The conversation also turns to the League Cup exit and whether losing that familiar source of hope has made Newcastle’s Premier League struggles feel even worse. With no European football to provide a distraction, just how worried should supporters be about the possibility of relegation?

Then comes the blame game. Jamie brings some uncomfortable figures to the table concerning Newcastle’s recruitment, including £547 million spent on 14 signings since May 2025, with only four of those players starting against Everton. The panel debates the quality of the recruitment, the contribution of established players and whether the current manager is getting enough from the squad at his disposal.

There’s also a discussion about the opportunities being given to younger players, the growing pressure from the stands and the possibility of another managerial change. Could Rafa Benitez really be an option again, or would that simply create another set of problems?

Finally, attention turns to the upcoming trip to Fulham and whether Newcastle can find a much-needed response.

It’s a frustrated, occasionally heated and typically humorous Mag Pod, with three supporters trying to make sense of a season that’s heading in the wrong direction.

Key Moments

• 00:17 – Introduction and listener shout-outs
• 05:30 – Newcastle’s home defeat to Everton
• 11:53 – Everton’s recent record against Newcastle
• 14:26 – Tactical problems and midfield struggles
• 18:30 – Carabao Cup exit and the worsening mood
• 23:24 – Young players and missed opportunities
• 25:16 – Relegation fears
• 27:54 – The blame game begins
• 29:42 – Newcastle’s £547 million transfer spending
• 31:21 – Recruitment failures and attacking problems
• 34:42 – Are the players to blame?
• 36:10 – Recruitment decisions and club responsibility
• 40:51 – How long should the manager be given?
• 44:27 – Could Rafa Benitez return?
• 48:28 – Who deserves the most blame?
• 50:12 – Fulham preview and predictions
• 53:34 – Closing thoughts