Martin Odegaard makes interesting St James’ Park claim amid talks of a new Newcastle United stadium
Liam Brusby
4 – 5 minutes
St James’ Park has been like a fortress for Newcastle United in the last two months.
The Magpies have lost just once at home in the Premier League since February, and have won every other game since. Newcastle United are looking to finish the season off strong, but need the support of those inside the grounds to push them on to get the results they need.
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Ask any fan outside of Newcastle, and they will recognise the passion that the Geordies have; it’s infectious. St James’ Park is known to be a difficult ground to go to for opposing teams; the away supporters are at the very top of the stadium, and the dressing room is cramped.
It’s a horrible matchday experience for any visitors, but brilliant for the home team.
However, it could all be gone in a few years. Newcastle are planning to build a new stadium in the shadow of St James’ Park, a state-of-the-art stadium which is estimated to cost around £1.2bn.
The majority stakeholders PIF want Newcastle in a new stadium, which is expected to be announced soon.
While work on whatever plans they decide are expected to begin at the end of the year, Arsenal striker Martin Odegaard has made a big claim about St James’ Park that the club could lose if they move to a new ground.
READ MORE – Newcastle United learn £802m stadium lesson ahead of PIF’s St James’ Park decision
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Martin Odegaard names St James’ Park as the toughest away day
Arsenal have had a torrid time against Newcastle this season. The Gunners have lost all three games against the Magpies this season, failing to score once.
Two of those losses came at St James’ Park, one in the Premier League last October and the other more recently in the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. The crowd was electric for the second game. Club captain Bruno Guimaraes asked Newcastle fans to be loud on social media to spur them on and grab the win.
Toon boss Eddie Howe made a plea to Newcastle supporters ahead of the game as well, saying how much the players need them to be in fine voice throughout the 90 minutes.
The results have led Odegaard, a player who has been to famous grounds like Barcelona’s Camp Nou and other places across Europe, to name St James’ Park as his toughest away day.
Speaking on Sky Sports Sticker Book Challenge, Odegaard said: “I think the one that sticks out for me is Newcastle and St James’ Park, to be honest.
“I’ve always felt like you go there, and it’s a really tough place to go. The way they play as well really physical and strong team so it’s always hard to play them.
“The stadium, the fans are properly on it, I’m going to go for that one.”
Newcastle United’s St James’ Park plans amid new stadium decision
It looks highly likely that there will be a new stadium built in Leazes Park, rendering St James’ Park unnecessary.
However, recent reports have claimed that Newcastle are still looking at expanding St James’ Park if they fail to obtain planning permission for the green space where they are looking to build the new ground.
READ MORE – Newcastle United could now meet major stadium roadblock as design change is confirmed
A new stadium is expected to have a 65,000 capacity, but Newcastle fans have called for a bigger stadium after the impressive turnout at the Magpies’ Carabao Cup trophy celebrations.
After initial estimates suggested that 250,000 Newcastle fans were in the city, it was confirmed that there was in fact over 300,000 passionate Geordies lining the streets and taking to the Town Moor to take in the festivities.
A ‘build it and they will come’ mantra was adopted for that, but the plans need to get official approval before moving forward.
