Monday night sees us pay a visit to Premiership new boys, Derby. We spoke to a few lads from https://www.nepforums.co.uk/therams/ to get their views on the game and their expectations for the season.

1. First of all welcome to the Premiership, what has been your first impression of the quality of football in it so far?

twatch: To good for our star struck players!
JkAteAllThePies: Ive noticed a considerable difference and increased pace-most of it which worries our defence.
CockneyRam: It is the best league in the world, whatever anybody tells you. However the amount of foreign investment infecting the game especially at the top level is shocking. Just look at our team ten years ago. They survived even though the quality on paper wasn’t there. We live in very different times.
red ram: its faster, better quality and more entertaining than the championship. you look at the league and you can’t really see where any easy points can be won.

2. You haven’t had the best of starts, do you think you will be able to avoid relegation this season?

twatch: TBH No. but we will build on it and bounce back!
JkAteAllThePies: I hope so but it could depend on how much of an impact Barnes has when he returns from injury. We need to spend in January, if we aren’t already too far adrift.
CockneyRam: No. We will go down with no more than ten points at this rate.
red ram: Not unless we spend like Abramovich in January, by which time it will be too late. need our first win soon to boost confidence.

3. We’ve heard plenty of talk about Billy Davies possibly leaving the club, whats your opinion on that and is there any truth behind it?

twatch: If he does, he does - but I think he and Gadsby have such a good relationship. No truth in it. But as a Geordie I’m sure you are aware that anything can happen at our football clubs eh!
JkAteAllThePies: As a pessimist and a Derby fan, i would say, never say never but i hope he stays as the job he has done so far has been superb, whatever happens this season.
CockneyRam: If Billy wants to leave then let him. I’ve only got time for people committed to the club. I bought my season ticket and go to away games because I love the club and I hope Billy honours the new contract he signed because he has the potential to be a quality manager at this level.
red ram: its not likely. he’d have a reputation for easily leaving clubs and we couldn’t get anyone better anyway.

4. What do you think are the strengths and weaknesses in the Derby team?

twatch: The strength is the team unit that Billy has created - weakness is a proven scorer at this level.
JkAteAllThePies: Weaknesses-the defence has hardly looked to have any defensive capabilities since the Man City game
Strengths-Lats year we never gave up and kept fighting, Billy needs to install this attitude again and hope when Barnes is back we can improve.
CockneyRam: Midfield is where we have the strength. Oakley is just class at the moment and Fagan has improved a lot. Despite the performances from Tyrone Mears, the defence remains the biggest worry. We are making Championship mistake to often.
red ram: strengths… id have said team spirit before we kicked off. now, erm…some good young players. weaknesses. loads. lack of ability flair and experience the biggest.

5. Which Derby players do you expect to cause us problems on Monday?

twatch: Rammie? I really don’t know! Big Stevie Howard in the air and playing against his boyhood team…??!
JkAteAllThePies: Without Fagan and Barnes, I’m looking to Miller and Teale to cause you problems. Whether they can or not is a different matter, lol.
CockneyRam: Matt Oakley will be a handful and so to will be Stephen Pearson. Watch out for Mears. People yap on about Giles Barnes but I feel Tyrone is another player to keep an eye on in the coming seasons.
red ram: Kenny miller hopefully on his debut.

6. What is your opinion on Michael Owen? Both as a player and how he’s overcoming the injuries that kept him out for 18 months?

twatch: Owen is a living legend - gotta love him!
JkAteAllThePies: Looked lethal for England and has rediscovered his touch. I expect him to score on Monday.
CockneyRam: He said something that he has still to play at his best. He’s pasted his best but its not his fault. Nevertheless he is still a quality player as exhibited in the last few weeks. Long may it continue because we need him to perform if we are to be serious contenders in the Euros.
red ram: despite his England goals i still think hes a shadow of his former self. cant help but think he’ll never fully get that electric spark back he had as a youngster, pace and all. hes still bound to score against us.

7. Which other Newcastle players do you think will cause you problems in our game?

twatch: Martins if Sam plays him.
JkAteAllThePies: Viduka’s pure strength and power worries most defences so ours should be no different. I like the look of N’Zogbia and Martins but they may not start.
CockneyRam: Viduka. The sheer strength he has will cause problems for us. I don’t think our defence are up to the task of dealing with him.
red ram: martins/any strikers you play. and any midfielders. my only hope is that your keeper doesn’t score.

8. We’ve heard alot about Giles Barnes over the past 12 months, how good is he now and how good can he become in the future?

twatch: Superb! I would like to think he could be England quality!
JkAteAllThePies: He could become a very good player if he applies the right attitude and doesn’t move too early. He is inconsistent (as all young players) at the moment but hopefully with time he can be a real force for Derby.
CockneyRam: He’s alright.
red ram: right now we’re hoping hes gonna be the difference when he comes back. he works hard and is electric on the ball, with a great finish. hes the potential to play for england. we’ll lose him at the end of the season tho.

9. Where do you see Newcastle and Derby finishing come May?

twatch: Top half and Bottom!
JkAteAllThePies: Newcastle-6th (due to your strikers)
Derby-20th (cant say anything else at the moment)
CockneyRam: Newcastle I can see finishing just out the top 6. You know where we are going to be. It doesn’t take too long to work it out.
red ram: 7th and 20th.

10. Who’s your tip for the title, and who’s going down this year?

twatch: Liverpool, Derby, Brum and A N Other!
JkAteAllThePies: Title-Chelsea
Relegation-Derby, scumderland/brum/Bolton (pick two)
CockneyRam: Us, Boro and Reading are going down, Man U will take the title.
red ram: Still dont think Liverpool have it in em. Man Utd (to win) Down - Derby Bolton and Reading.

11. Finally, do you have a prediction for game?

twatch: : …
JkAteAllThePies: 3-0 - Owen (2) and Viduka to score.
CockneyRam: 1-1. I think we could frustrate Newcastle and nick a draw out of it. At least 32,000 going so there’ll be a good atmosphere.
red ram: 1-3 Newcastle.

Cheers lads, all the best for the rest of the season (after Monday night of course)