Newcastle 2008/07 Preview

Big Sam eyes big season with Toon

By Paul Higham   Last updated: 8th August 2007

Newcastle 2008/07 Preview

Owen: Goals

NEWCASTLE 2007/08
Predicted Position: 8th
Star Man: Michael Owen - Newcastle fans have not seen the best of the England marksman, but he is one of few men around he come with a goals guarantee, and with an injury-free run he could grab a hatful this season.
Manager: Sam Allardyce - Big Sam could just be the man to get the best out of Newcastle this season. A strong motivator, with good man-managements skills, his attention to detail, especially defensively, at Bolton would do no end of good at St James' Park.
INS: Alan Smith (Man Utd), Claudio Cacapa (Lyon), Geremi (Chelsea), David Rozenhal (PSG), Joey Barton (Man City), Mark Viduka (Middlesbrough)
OUTS: Antoine Sibierski (Wigan), Titus Bramble (Wigan), Scott Parker (West Ham), Hugo Viana (Valencia)
Best signing: Mark Viduka
Sky Bet Odds: 200-1
Likely top scorer: Michael Owen
Possible best XI (Given, Carr, Taylor, Rozenhal, Babayaro, Geremi, Barton, Emre, Milner, Viduka, Owen)

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A new season and another new hope for Newcastle fans as new manager Sam Allardyce looks to finally give the hordes of the Toon Army something to shout about.

Although their club is one of the perennial under achievers, Newcastle fans will this year have real cause for optimism after the arrival of Big Sam at the helm.

Allardyce is charged with ending Newcastle's long barren spell and delivering the trophy the fans have been craving, and like all the previous managers before him he has been backed in the transfer market.

The Magpies have also had a summer of change behind the scenes with Mike Ashley's takeover at St James' Park seeing chairman and usual figurehead Freddy Shepherd leaving.

As Allardyce looks to improve on their season last year, he moved quickly in the transfer market after taking over in May.

Barton gamble

Joey Barton was his first acquisition, with the controversial Manchester City midfielder heading to the North East, as Scott Parker left to join West Ham.

Barton's off-field problems are well documented but Allardyce could have the managerial style to finally get the best out of the player's undoubted talents on the park.

Arguably the best bit if business Newcastle completed during the summer was keeping hold of Michael Owen, despite the England marksman having a -clause in his contract.

Although injury has plagued Owen since he moved to Tyneside, if he can have a clear run he has proved over the years that he will score goals - and the arrival of Mark Viduka will only help his cause.

Allardyce was keen to swoop for the bulky Australian after he decided to leave Middlesbrough, and Owen has said in the past that a big man alongside him up front helps his game immensely.

Kieron Dyer is similar to Owen in that injuries have limited his impact despite having the quality to be a real handful, and after his expected move to West Ham collapsed he could have a big hand in shaping the season.

Nigerian livewire Obafemi Martins has also stayed despite speculation of a summer departure, while talented Turkish schemer Emre's continued presence means the Geordie fans are assured of the attacking football they love so much.

Alan Smith is a big arrival from Manchester United but, depending on injuries, he could again find himself playing in midfield, which opens up the possibility of a partnership with Barton which would be see the midfield at Newcastle not a place for the faint-hearted.

Defence

Defence is the key for Newcastle though, and Allardyce is well aware of the need to tighten up at the back after years of Shay Given looking like a one-man army in Newcastle's leakiest of backlines.

Czech Republic stopper David Rozehnal should provide more solidity after arriving from PSG, while Brazilian defender Claudio Cacapa spent five years captaining Lyon to French title after French title and brings bags of top level experience to the table.

If Allardyce can keep it tight at the back, then he has the ammunition up front to win games and make Newcastle into a big force in the Premier League.

Comments (8)

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Cheryl Moore (Newcastle United fan) says...

I am so very optimistic about the future under Big Sam. He is the first manager for a while that has come in and said Right, our defence is the problem, we have to fix it - let's hope that the new signings deliver. And please, let us get behind the team - give them a chance to gel and don't let other clubs have the chance of calling us 'THICK' for booing our own team. Come on Newcastle - let's go to Europe.....

Posted 08:16 10th August 2007

Ben Thomas (Newcastle United fan) says...

The fututre looks a lot brighter now we have a proven manager who will get the best out of the players plus he has made some quality signings & strenghened the defence which was most important. If the new look defence gel quickly & keep clean sheets i believe we can make europe in Sam's first season, which is exactly where we should be..........at the least.!

Posted 13:21 9th August 2007

Izzy Islam (Newcastle United fan) says...

I beleive newcastle will suprise alot of people this year, i beleive we have the squad now 2 challenge not only for a trophy but also a champions league spot, i believe that in sam allerdyce we have the best manager in the premiership and i wouldnt replace him with anyone not even Alex ferguson i think that sam allerdyce has brought in some quality players even though we had lost scott parker i think barton could be a better player for us as he is so talented as long as he keeps his mouth shut he could become a legend, i think this year will be a great season for newcastle united and the fans and i hope that they get what they deserve becuase we have the best fans in the world.

Posted 10:52 9th August 2007

Jamie Matthews (Newcastle United fan) says...

I think the mighty toon army will flourish under big sam once again, the uefa cup becons and maybe some long awaited silverware, we will be challenging on all fronts this season and if owen can stay fit and we tighten our defence who knows what i think we can acheive' good times ahead for newcastle.

Posted 15:57 8th August 2007

Finbarr Saunders (Newcastle United fan) says...

Big Sam has proved his mastery of the transfer market with the deals he's done for Newcastle. Geremi/Viduka on frees have to go down as some of the best signings of the summer. We now have options up front to worry a few teams, to go with a quality midfield. Reinforcements at the back are still needed, but even so we are in better shape there than we have been for a number of years. If the defensive signings work out, and we manage to keep everyone injury-free, then there's lots of potential for us next year. I would also call on all true Newcastle fans to get behind Dyer, and also Luque next season. Both have proven quality despite the ups and downs of teh past, and we should not turn up our noses at players of their pedigree. New board, new manager, new signings, so the fans should give a new chance for every player to show what they're made of. Underestimate big Sam's barcodes at your peril... Howay the lads!

Posted 14:48 8th August 2007

Lee Sibbald (Newcastle United fan) says...

Our main problem now is the same as it was last season - keeping players fit. Sam has already said the tolerance levels of our players in pre-season was way below where the should have been, and consequently we've already begun picking up injuries proir to the start of the new season. Thankfully Sam has an outstanding record of keeping players fit and the backroom staff he's assembled at Newcastle will hopefully reap its own rewards. One or two more at the back and a left winger to compete with Charles whilst Duff is out and we start to have what looks like a very competative squad with goals up front and in midfield. An exciting season awaits us!

Posted 12:12 8th August 2007

Alan Hagan (Newcastle United fan) says...

I think Newcastle will be far more competitive this season but we need to show some patience while the new players gel and get used to the premiership. However, I think the following season the boys on the park will have to deliver!! Big Sam is the man to do it.

Posted 12:05 8th August 2007

Jamie Tobin (Newcastle United fan) says...

I think this year will be the year Newcastle break their title drought and break into the top four. With a whole new defence and more great signings along with a new manager and owner, I think will be enough to break Newcastle into the top four. Watch out Arsenal!

Posted 12:01 8th August 2007
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