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Intro..
Well it's that time of year again where we don our Toon tops
and prepare ourselves for what is usually a 9 month roller coaster
ride - it's good to be back. Last Season couldn't have ended
quick enough for me, but I'm so looking forward to this one,
a Season that promises so much, a make or break Season. Sure
we said that this time last year but this really is
a do or die Season. Not just for our club but for certain
players too.
A Season of high expectations and demands. A Season that has
to get off to a better start than the last one where we didn't
pick up a first League win until our 7th game which meant we
were always playing catch up. The fixtures have been kind to
us this year however.
We don't play one of those 4 teams who finished above us until
our 13th game of the Season - Man Utd. In between we should
and must pick up points, enough to propel us into the top 4
where we will hope and need to stay if we are to secure a Champions
League spot.
With 4 new signings in Patrick Kluivert, Nicky Butt, Stephen
Carr and James Milner, optimism is quite high on Tyneside and
despite losing Gary Speed, Lua Lua, Dabizas, Solano and others
from the squad that we went into last Season with, you could
argue that we are much stronger this time out both in terms
of squad depth and the first-team. 4 quality signings, the right
signings who give us options, something we lacked last term.
It's been an excellent Summer in the transfer market.
We haven't been the only ones to strengthen our squad though.
Birmingham, Villa, Charlton and Fulham, those we slugged it
out with for what turned out to be a UEFA Cup spot, have all
strengthened. Liverpool, our nearest and most realistic obstacle
to 4th have strengthened too. Both squad and managerial wise.
Arsenal Man Utd and Chelsea have also strengthened but lets
not get too far ahead of ourselves here - they are a long way
ahead of us. Lets concentrate on challenging for 4th.
And some silverware...
Last Season we were dumped out of the League cup by West Brom
after Bobby fielded reserves and although we went one round
better in the FA Cup our fate was sealed in similar disappointing
fashion. In the UEFA Cup however we not only looked capable
of winning it we also managed to get to the Semis - once again
though we failed to turn up on the big occasion. Another trophyless
year.
This Season we are once again back in the UEFA Cup - can we
go one better? And what of the FA Cup? The last two trophies
we ever won. Our best chance of silverware though lies in a
competition we haven't won. The League Cup. Lets hope Bobby
recognises it this time.
As ever with Newcastle, what will determine how well or how
poor we do is the thing that likes to rear it's ugly head just
for us (that's the way it feels anyway). Yep you've guessed
it - injuries. Already we have an injury/fitness crisis and
that's before a ball is even kicked but should Woodgate, Bellamy,
Jenas, Dyer et al stay fit and free from injury for the majority
of the Season we should have a much better campaign. Providing
the dressing room discontent dies out and the two Geordies who
don't exactly see eye to eye can put aside their differences
in their final 9 months at the Toon.
All in all it will be another long hard slog, hopefully played
out on the deck and not in the air, hopefully one that ends
where we are all happy. Keep the faith lads and lasses.
P.S A few away wins wouldn't go amiss...
Howay The Toon! |
