When you think about Newcastle United going into this season there must be some uncertainty for their fans on what to expect from their side. From New Year to May they barely scraped a single win and looked like a team that had quite literally thrown in the towel. This all came after a promising start to the season when they were in and around the top six but ultimately ended up tenth which was arguably flattering in itself.
Why Newcastle struggled so badly in 2014 is not entirely clear but again asks questions of what was going on in the dressing room and of some of the players' relationship with the Manager - an inability to even get motivated for a home game against Sunderland in the local derby would have been the most concerning .
I think what is clear is that Newcastle were severely hampered by the loss of form of Papis Cisse who looked incredible when he arrived but did practically nothing last season when he was needed most. The side was hampered by injuries also but it may be time to start questioning the futures of the likes of Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Guiterrez whose best days may be behind them. Both have been good servants to Newcastle but it would be a wise move, if the club is to stabilise in the Premier League, to look at bringing more young players into the team and the transfer activity so far appears to have demonstrated that this has been realised.
Siem de Jong is a new player who I feel could have a very positive impact on the team this season, he's been around the block a few times already despite only being twenty-five but has the potential to improve and I think he will relish the challenge of Premier League Football.
A player who already has experience in the top flight is Jack Colback and his signing will have been welcomed amongst Newcastle fans if only for the fact he was so quick to come over from bitter rivals Sunderland and join them, but more to the point he has become a very effective midfield player. Getting Colback on a free transfer makes for one of the best scoops of the transfer window in my opinion, whilst Emmanuel Riviere could prove to be an astute signing having had a telling impact up front for Monaco in Ligue 1.
Looking ahead to the next month or so it will be interesting to see who else comes in but more to the point who goes out as Newcastle have a huge squad and some of the players will surely go through the exit door. I think that the club has the best chance of doing well this season if the squad is streamlined because it is inevitable that with so many players some will become unhappy if they are not being played and this needs to be the priority for the remainder of the transfer window.
Newcastle's strongest eleven could be a tough match for anyone and only discontent in the dressing room or off the pitch could stop them from improving on last season's position. 2014-15 Predcition: 8th.