And we’re off!

Proving time for Benny and Co.
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!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

28 thoughts on “And we’re off!

  1. Expectations? Definitely Champions, and no parking of any buses as we romp to the title.

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  2. I no being sarcastic either. We should be looking to win every game. 3-0 scoreline minimum.

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  3. Any improvement on 12th is progress (stating the obvious). Personally I think we should be aiming for a top ten finish and improving on our home form.

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  4. Any Higher than last season and i will be happy. Really hope the home record improves and hope to get a few more big wins this season.

    Basicly i am mainly hoping for stability and Pards lasts a whole season 😀

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  5. @ C*nt, I didn’t realise Mike Ashley was an MD. :mrgreen:

    No in all seriousness if we got Erdnig/Erdinc or that we lad from Sarsfield then we should be looking at top 6/CL places.

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  6. Got to be top 8 – we’re miles better than Blackburn, Bolton and Fulham. Everton and WBA should never be in top half, always get by on a shoe-string. Blunderland below us this year, for sure !!

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  7. not too bothered about position although I feel that we should be one of the teams chasing 7th spot at the end of the season.

    However we gained 46 points last season and threw another dozen away due to inconsistancy. expect a minimum of 55 points next season and hoping for 60.

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  8. c*nt…if u dont have the balls to write your name..then dont come on here and write **** like that..u joker..

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  9. An improvement on 12th would be good. Finishing above Scumberland is a must. If we get into Europe, I’ll be over the moon.

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  10. a) We’re not going to get into Europe next season – end of.
    b) We would of had a good season to finish in the top ten and an excellent season if we’re in the top eight.
    c) There has been wholesale changes to the squad, they need time to gel.

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  11. Season has now started for me.

    Still a number of deals to be done exits for smudger, raylor loven, best and ranger. More to come in especially up front.

    Excited at the prospect but would be happy with a 10th place finish.

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  12. if we had of won the last game against WBA we would of finished 9th so i cant see why we cant push for top 7. get a few more faces to give us a bit more depth and that is pretty realistic

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  13. @15 In theory, I agree. However I don’t think that there’s going to be another season like last season for a while. Last season was very very open. I don’t think next season will be the same.

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  14. we have already got a better squad than last year and the teams around us havent really bought anyone yet and have they got any money to spend dunno lets wait and see

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  15. wholesale changes? we have sold 1 player and got in 4 not really wholesale changes still pretty much the same squad we have just added to it got rid of nolan who just wanted more money obviuosly didnt want the football as hes now playing in the championship

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  16. top 8 and i will be more than happy and a decent run in a cup would be nice!! plenty goals and high attendences with ba getting 20+ goals and benny playing 20-30 games!!! 😀

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  17. gillardino wants to come toi england , pardue get him signed 😆 , any more news on erding??

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  18. Still all very early to be talking about where we finish. There’s still a hell of a lot of in’s and out’s before Sept 1st – this is NUFC after all.

    Although it’s good to see them back as I need some sort of football.

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  19. I’ll admit, I am very excited at our possibilities this coming season. If all these new players can come in AND we keep Jose and Joey, then we can romp around the premier league.

    Especially with the money available to buy a striker and another fullback.

    Howay the lads!!!

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  20. the midfield has changed for the better tho imo more pace to it and younger legs which we lacked last season after all midfield is the engine of any team you have to build around a good midfield if we get another striker or 2 in i think we are in pretty good shape so i cant see why a top 8 finish aint possible

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  21. I agree we’ve improved as a team, but its very early doors. Other teams WILL improve their teams and spend money as they do every season.

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  22. Im hoping for a top 10 finish and a decent run in 1 of the cups. Be over the moon with that to be honest. I belive we have to quality to achieve that but as point out above the players need time to gel etc etc.

    First time on new look website and looks great!

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  23. The old cliche “Football’s a funny game…” It’s far too soon to tell. On paper, we could have a really fantastic season. In reality, rarely does it work that way particularly with our track record of injuries. Ba and Marveaux both are prone to injury while Gosling and Ben Arfa have yet to refind their form and confidence. This squad also needs to gel and if they can’t really understand each other (French, Spanish, and a mixture Geordie, Scouse and Cockney English) that could prove a further problem. Pardew will have his hands full, but with good support, inside and outside of the dressing room, we certainly could do very well. Let’s hope so!

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