English Premier League Preview – Newcastle United

We at 32 Flags are previewing every team in the English Premier League, two teams a day until the beginning of the season. Get ready as we preview your favorite team or maybe we can help you pick a team to root for if you are undecided so far. Today, we’re covering Newcastle United.

Newcastle United

Founded – 1892

Last Year Position – 10th

Transfers In (As of 8/11) – Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord Rotterdam), Remy Cabella (Montpellier Herault SC), Siem de Jong (Borussia Monchengladbach), Ayoze Perez (CD Tenerife), Facundo Ferreyra (Shakhtar Donetsk, loan), Emmanuel Riviere (AS Monaco), Jamaal Lascelles, Karl Darlow (both Nottingham Forest)

Transfers Out (As of 8/11) – Dan Gosling (AFC Bournemouth), Steven Logan (Annan Athletic), Jonathan Mitchell (Derby County), Conor Newton (Rotherham United), James Tavernier (Wigan Athletic), Romain Amalfitano (Dijon Foot), Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal FC), Jamaal Lascelles, Karl Darlow (both Nottingham Forest, loan), Sylvain Marveaux (En Avant Guingamp), Adam Campbell (Fleetwood Town, loan), Shola Ameobi, Brandon Miele, Michael Richardson (all released)

Projected Finish (Voted among 32 Flags staff) – 11th place

Rivalries – Sunderland

Famous Supporters – Sting, Tony Blair, Brian Johnson, Frank Williams and Janick Gers

Alan Pardew has a job for now, and it’s clear that owner Mike Ashley really doesn’t care what the fans think. Some would say its Newcastle management against the fans at this point in time, especially after the horrific scene that was 90 minutes of terror unleashed against Pardew late last season.

Heading in to this season though, things could be on the upswing for the Northeastern-based club. That’s because Ashley opened up the pocketbook for a change and appears to have restocked the roster in an intriguing way ahead of the 2014/15 campaign.

Ashley has spent a reported £30 million this offseason on the transfer market in the hopes of getting Pardew the players he needs to be successful once again. Bringing in the likes of Daryl Janmaat more than make up for losing star defender Mathieu Debuchy to Arsenal.

However, it remains to be seen just how quickly this team will gel and if all the offseason buying will actually mean wins for Newcastle. The side will face a rough go of it right out the gate, getting defending champs Manchester City to start things off.

The 2014/15 campaign will hinge on just how good this midfield will be. It has a lot of potential with the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Jack Colback, Remy Cabella and Hatem ben Arfa in position for good minutes this season. Colback and Cabella were both transfers in to the club this summer and both could provide some much needed creativity out of the midfield.

If Pardew can get this group all pushing in the same direction this is a club that could challenge for European places. However, this is also Newcastle under Mike Ashley and Alan Pardew, so it’s likely that something will go wrong at some point.

If the Magpies want to find a place in Europe in 2015/16 they will need all of Ashley’s buys to come up roses. One dud among that group could wind up costing this team. It would also likely mean the end of Pardew as manager too.

After all, a man can only be patient for so long.

About Andrew Coppens

Andy is a contributor to The Comeback as well as Publisher of Big Ten site talking10. He also is a member of the FWAA and has been covering college sports since 2011. Andy is an avid soccer fan and runs the Celtic FC site The Celtic Bhoys. If he's not writing about sports, you can find him enjoying them in front of the TV with a good beer!

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