And we're off!

Today marks the very welcome return of pre-season training, although somehow I doubt that the players will be as welcoming about it as the rest of us are!

It's a time for blood, sweat, and tears as the players strive to get themselves back in shape ahead of the new season, with the first chance of them having to showcase their abilities coming in just under two weeks time when Alan Pardew takes his team to Darlington for the first of our pre-season friendlies on Friday, 15th July.

Pre-season training will give us our first idea as to how the fitness of players such as Hatem Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling are holding up after their respective long-term injuries. Granted it will only be half an idea, but it's more than what we have at the moment.

It will also give us another angle to look at things from. At the moment it's mainly hearsay and speculation that are dominating the headlines, but with the return of pre-season it will hopefully mean that there is some more varied news about. I don't know about you, but this speculation is starting to do my head in!

This is where Alan Pardew starts to put his stamp on things. We saw a little bit last season when a few slight changes were made, with Chris Hughton's team, but this time round it will be different and people will be watching. It's his baby from now on, and he will be judged accordingly. There will be no "it's still Sir Chris' team" from fans if things go well. It will be his team, playing in his way, the success of which will determine just how much pressure he attracts from fans.

How much success should we be aiming for though? By that I mean what are your expectations for the forthcoming season? Top half? Top eight? Top six? Whatever they may be we aren't a million miles away from being able to gauge roughly how far we are away from each individual expectation.

The thought of football, albeit it only pre-season, is starting to get me excited. It won't be long before the season kicks off and we get back to the footballing action, and I am thrilled at that prospect!

Howay the lads!