Newcastle United - fan's 2008/09 Premier League preview
Wednesday, 06 Aug 2008 15:48
Newcastle United - fan's 2008/09 Premier League preview and predictions
A supporter's views and expectations for the 2008/09 season.
Last season
Premier League: 12th - P 38 W 11 D 10 L 17 GF 45 GA 65 GD -20 PTS 43
FA Cup: 4th Round - lost 3-0 to Arsenal
League Cup: Third round - lost 2-0 to Arsenal
The manager
What next for Kevin Keegan? The saviour of St James' struggled to work his magic after returning from the wilderness but still managed to keep the Geordie ship afloat - albeit with a decidedly unspectacular 43 points.
The fans are apparently prepared to be patient with their idol, especially as rebuilding funds do not seem to be forthcoming. But if the Magpies struggle early on, questions will surely surface over whether King Kev spent too long in exile.
Chances of managerial change?
Keegan's position is arguably one of the most uncertain in the Premier League. Yes he was feted as a returning hero, but his team's subsequent poor form sparked rumours that he might not last until the summer.
If Keegan's side stutter this season as they did last, his support could quickly melt away.
What's more, as his previous walk-outs on Newcastle and England demonstrate, there's no second-guessing the man himself. Unsettling takeover rumours and a lack of summer spending will not sit well with Keegan and a bad start could spark another emotional throwing-in of the towel.
The players
Exits
Czech defender David Rozehnal has made a permanent switch to Lazio after spending the second half of last season on loan in Rome, while midfielder Emre ended his three-year spell on Tyneside by returning to his hometown of Istanbul.
All in all, not earth-shattering losses but two less bodies in an already threadbare squad.
New arrivals
Twelve years after parading £15 million hitman Alan Shearer to a delirious Toon Army outside St James', Keegan would be lucky to get a "who?" from passers-by with his signings so far this summer.
He beat Bolton Wanderers to Liverpool starlet Danny Guthrie, plucked Argentinean midfielder Jonas Gutierrez from La Liga outfit Real Mallorca and snapped up French defender Sebastien Bassong.
But amid ongoing takeover rumours, Keegan does not seem to have the funds for the major reinforcements his squad clearly needs.
He looks likely to prise open the chequebook for at least one more signing - defender Fabricio Coloccini - but will that be enough?
Needs
The team needs bolstering in just about every department ahead of the big kick-off.
Defence is a major concern but Keegan has so far been frustrated in his efforts to land targets like Blackburn's Stephen Warnock and Arsenal's Philippe Senderos. Another defender, in addition to likely signing Coloccini, is probably required.
The midfield, meanwhile, lacks both resilience and creativity in the middle of the park, while some width is needed to feed ammunition to Michael Owen.
On the plus side, at least Keegan has retained his top striker as well as the club's other prized asset and rumoured Arsenal target Shay Given.
The fanbase
As the start of the season looms, Newcastle fans must have growing concerns. There is speculation over the boardroom and, despite the manager making it clear that the squad lacks quality, a dearth of big-name signings.
'Ashley bashing' is on the rise and the faithful will want his future decided one way or the other as quickly as possible so the club can at least plan to move forwards.
Prediction for 2008/09
Things can only get better? Maybe. But while pre-season is usually a time for unbridled optimism about the forthcoming campaign, Newcastle's outlook is already cloudy.
Takeover rumours, a touted 15-match FA ban for wayward midfielder Joey Barton and worrying lack of quality signings must have even the most fervent Newcastle United follower struggling to conjure up a "yeah, but THIS season..." argument.
It looks like being a slow and possibly painful rebuilding process at St James' Park. In the league, anything better than last season will be a positive - anything worse could be a disaster.
Once again, Newcastle fans hoping for something to cheer will have to renew that "special relationship" with the FA Cup, a trophy their team hasn't won since 1955.
Andy Jowett