Premier League 2013-14: Season Predictions

Newcastle

Since their return to the top flight in 2010, Newcastle have experienced every possible experience. In their return season, the buzzword was stability, as they looked to feel their way back into the League and justify that their 2008-09 relegation was a blip and that they deserve to be among England's best. In 2011-12, they experienced delirium and their supporters were dreaming of Champions League nights back at St James Park thanks to their collective believe and fearlessness. Ultimately, they had to settle for the Europa League and they seemed to save their best displays for that competition last season. They lacked everything they had the previous season, and while the Europa League being a distraction may have been a valid excuse, they didn't look like a Premier League team at times and although ultimately they survived, fans weren't happy. Neither were they overtly happy about the appointment of name mispronunciation extraordinaire Joe Kinnear as Director of Football. His influence has seemed to undermine the influence of Chief Scout Graham Carr who seems to be confused as to who he should be reporting to. Plus, there is the issue of blocking transfers; allegedly blocking the transfer of Brazilian defender Douglas, that precipitated the departure of Derek Llambias. In addition, protracted target Bafetimbi Gomis is not yet a Newcastle player after the club have pulled back from sending that deal through. On the positive side of things, they have manage to bag January target Loic Remy on a season long loan from QPR, but it looks like the Toon will line up against Manchester City on Monday in a relatively similar way they did against Arsenal in May. Despite all this, they have retained the services of nearly all of their squad from when they made that Champions League tilt two seasons ago. Much will be needed from those who fired then like Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa to ensure a smoother season for the Toon Army Prediction: 11th