Premier League 14/15: Team By Team Preview And Predictions

8. Newcastle United

Last Season: 10th Manager: Alan Pardew Opening Fixture: Man City (h) Transfer Activity: Newcastle were never quite the same team last season after Yohan Cabaye left, and Magpies supporters knew that the squad was in need of some serious renovation. Thankfully for them, Alan Pardew has been busy in the transfer market this summer, bringing in his usual dose of French talent in Remy Cabella (Montpellier) and Emmanuel Riviere (Monaco). Dutch World Cup star Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord) has also been signed to replace Mathieu Debuchy, along with Siem de Jong (Ajax), Ayoze Perez (Tenerife), Facundo Ferreyra (Shakhtar Donestk) and, significantly, Jack Colback, who turned down a contract extension with arch-rivals Sunderland to sign for his boyhood club. Other notable departures include Dan Gosling, Sylvain Marveaux, Romain Amalfitano, Conor Newton, James Tavernier and club-legend Shola Ameobi, who has been released after 14 years at the club. Possible Starting XI: Krul; Janmaat, S. Taylor, Coloccini, Santon; Sissoko, Tiote; Gouffran, de Jong, Cabella; Riviere Key Player: Fabricio Coloccini Verdict: Like with Sam Allardyce at West Ham, there is a lot of negativity surrounding Alan Pardew's position as Newcastle manager from the club's fans, and for that reason it makes it hard to foresee a particularly successful season ahead at St James' Park. But what would actually be seen as a successful season for the club? Newcastle are a huge club who once upon a time were competing for the Premier League title, and so many of the club's supporters believe that they should at least be competing with the likes of Everton and Tottenham who are usually pushing for the top four. That does seem a long way off right now though when you consider that last season's top scorer Loic Remy has returned to QPR and Hatem Ben Arfa remains out of favour, they may have to settle for another mid-table finish this time around, although their squad does look generally stronger than last season's. Prediction: 8th