Is ever really wise to do a season preview for Newcastle United? After all, the only things we can really say with any certainty is that the team will play in black and white stripes, their crowd will be passionate—whether for the team or against the owners—and there will, at some stage, be some sort of distracting drama.

The end of last season was a massive lull, even by the club’s own standards. The Toon Army accrued just one point from a possible 30 in the 10 matches prior to the final game of the season and only a win on the in the last match against a disinterested West Ham United side was enough to preserve their top flight status.

So, perhaps Steve McClaren is taking the job at the perfect time? Granted, there’s still a backdrop of unrest and animosity towards the board, but the ex-England manager can’t do any worse than his predecessor John Carver and he’s been given plenty of money to spend in the transfer window.

With the steadying influence of McClaren at the helm, those associated with Newcastle will be confident they don’t become embroiled in another relegation scrap. But up on Tyneside, you can never quite be so sure.

 

Best XI

 

Reasons to be Positive

McClaren has shored up the spine with some strong, youthful additions. At the back Chancel Mbemba will add dynamism, in the middle of midfield Georginio Wijnaldum looks one of the captures of the summer and up front, the rangy Aleksandar Mitrovic will provide a goalscoring threat which was so scarce in 2014-15.

In addition, McClaren will be hoping his coaching skills can bring the best of a crop of players who hopelessly underachieved last season. If he can integrate the new signings and prompt some form from the likes of Daryl Janmaat, Moussa Sissoko and Ayoze Perez—as well as getting Siem De Jong fit and firing—the Magpies have a very handy starting XI.

 

Reasons to be Negative

It wouldn’t be Newcastle United if something didn’t go wrong, would it? The Toon’s penchant for wretched runs of form are not helped by the fanatical nature of their support, meaning if things don’t go to plan, a state of crisis often engulfs St. James’ Park.

The three marquee signings have all come from leagues—Mbemba and Mitrovic from Belgium, Wijnaldum from the Eredivisie—whose players typically struggle with the transition to English football. The club’s new forward Mitrovic may have got the supporters excited, but he was a controversial figure at Anderlecht due to numerous discretions and the North East doesn’t look an ideal place to placate his volatile temperament.

 

Key Player – Georginio Wijnaldum

Of the three signings made, the most exciting is former PSV Eindhoven man Wijnaldum. The Dutch international was at the core of PSV’s Eredivisie win in 2014-15, driving his team up the field and providing the main supply line into the effervescent Memphis Depay.

In addition, Wijnaldum has shown he can be an inspirational leader in the middle of the park, despite being just 24 years old. The Oranje star plays with endeavour, quality, versatility and leads by example. His willingness to get a grip of matches will be a refreshing change for the Newcastle supporters, who saw so many players unwilling to take responsibility last season.

 

Prediction – 13th

The assured hand of McClaren and the calibre of signings made will ensure Newcastle don’t have to worry about relegation this season, but they’re still very light in a lot of areas, meaning a top half finish looks beyond them going into the new campaign.

Mbemba and Mitrovic will most likely take a few weeks to get completely up to speed with the ferocious tempo of the English game, leaving McClaren with the squad which struggled so much last season plus Wijnaldum. But they’ll be much more organised and a lot more attacking in 2015-16, giving the Geordie faithful some less stressful afternoons.

 

Expert Opinion – Kristan Heneage (World Soccer Talk)

It has been all change at St James’ Park this summer. New manager, new coaches some new players, all of whom were needed after last season under John Carver. The feel-good factor has not been restored fully but it is slowly working its way up. 

As is often the case with Newcastle it could go horribly wrong by Christmas. There’s a lot of pressure on the new trio – Mitrovic, Wijnaldum and Mbemba – to perform. The blessing is, Steve McClaren has some tactical intelligence and seems to know what he wants from each man. 

In dire need of a derby win a top half finish is completely realistic for the club and what most fans are hoping for. A solid start from Mitrovic and they’ll have a new hero to boot. Still, push Newcastle fans, and they’ll tell you another CB, a winger and maybe a striker is still needed to feel like the squad is one of the league’s 10 best. 

Follow Matt on Twitter @MattJFootball