Reap the Wild Wyn on Tuesday

Three day weekend for us in the states. Celebrating independence can take a lot out of a person.

We're going heavy on Coloccini's letter to the fans. If you're a long time reader you know how much I enjoy a point/counterpoint story. Well, we have three articles looking at the letter. The Coloccini plotline is, for me, an interesting one. It smacks of this taint: what have you done for me lately? It's a fan stance I absolutely loathe because of the myopic nature the perspective takes. I have written that Colo's legacy was poisoned by management. We should have seen him fade into glory, but instead we were fed false hope in an aging player we knew couldn't deliver. We should not forget his waffling between Tyneside and Argentina some years ago.

Maybe there is no right answer to the Colo question.

Having shaved the beard as a symbol of a more positive outlook on being in general we will lead with a feel good story. Our characters are Mitrovic and Benitez. When the season starts it will be a bane on our existence that we can't watch the club on a regular basis.

OK, let's kick the ball.

Mitrovic and Rafa Benitez make local kids’ day - The Mag

128 kids were hooked up with the 2016\17 Newcastle home kit. Mitrovic appearing along with Vurnon Anita, Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett.

Championship: Now it's time for Rafa Benitez to clear out the Newcastle deadwood - Yahoo Sport

I would have appreciated a bit more meat to this piece. However, chalked full of names this is a good conversation starter.

Fabricio Coloccini pens emotional letter to Newcastle fans saying 'maybe one day I can return and contribute to winning a title for this club' after having contract terminated - Daily Mail

This moved me.

Newcastle United: Reading between the lines of Fabricio Coloccini's open letter - The Chronicle

A fair look at what's not being said in Colo's letter to the fans.

Newcastle United fans are quite divided as captain Fabricio Coloccini finally leaves club - HITC

Nice work on getting a fair picture of the divide.

Report: Fenerbahce consider move for Newcastle United's Siem de Jong - HITC

One of those dead weight players. Does anyone still think Siem is a PL level talent? I can't even see him being a value at the Championship level.

Newcastle set to raid Molde for new defender - The 72

Anyone know about this guy? Anyone?

Dwight Gayle reveals goal target after leaving Crystal Palace for Newcastle United - Croydon Advisor

There is a piece coming this week by a couple of CHN writers that looks at Gayle from both a confident, and questioning, perspective.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez outlines his hopes for the club's academy - and explains why local talent is still key - The Northern Echo

A slew of quotes, but not much substance. Unless I'm missing something. You tell me.

LET'S BE POSITIVE!