Premiership Season Preview 2006/07 - Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Odds: 150/1

Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 7 (Premiership), 2004/05 - 14 (Premiership), 2003/04 - 5 (Premiership), 2002/03 - 3 (Premiership), 2001/02 - 4 (Premiership).

2005/06 Cup Progress
Intertoto Cup Semi Final vs Deportivo La Coruna - lost 4-2 on aggregate.
FA Cup Sixth Round vs Chelsea (a) - lost 1-0.
Carling Cup Fourth Round vs Wigan Athletic (a) - lost 1-0.

Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Alan Shearer (striker) - 14 goals.

Players In
Damian Duff (Chelsea - £5,000,000)

Players Out
Michael Chopra (Cardiff City - £500,000), Lee Bowyer (West Ham United - Free),
Robbie Elliott (Sunderland - Free), Daryl Smylie (Livingston - Free), Allen Picken (Walsall - Free), Tony Caig (Released), Martin Brittain (Released) Alan Shearer (Retired)

Newcastle United enjoyed a new lease of life following the caretaker appointment of Glenn Roeder as manager in February which led to the former West Ham United boss being given the role full time in May.

Under Graeme Souness, the Magpies struggled, but the side's transformation with Roeder at the helm was remarkable. He enjoyed an unbeaten run in his first six matches in charge and the final seven games of the season also went without defeat, culminating in a 1-0 defeat of champions Chelsea on the last day of the season.

While Roeder has allowed several squad players to leave, including Lee Bowyer, Robbie Elliott and Michael Chopra, he pulled off something of a coup in luring Chelsea winger Damien Duff to St. James' Park for a knockdown £5 million.

Duff was believed to have turned down both Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in favour of a move to Newcastle and signed a five year deal. Duff joined Chelsea from Blackburn Rovers three years ago for £17 million and made 125 appearances, scoring 19 goals. The Republic of Ireland international won two Premiership title medals during that time.

Much will be expected of the Magpies this season but they will start with a shortage of strikers. Veteran Alan Shearer retired, Michael Owen is a long term casualty following an injury picked up during the World Cup while Michael Chopra joined Cardiff City in the summer. Goal scoring duties will be left to Spaniard Alberto Luque, who finally broke his goal scoring duck against Sunderland in April and Shola Ameobi, who found the net four times in his last six appearances last season.

Verdict
The Magpies will be aiming for European qualification this season but they need another proven goal scorer to fill the void left by Shearer and the injured Owen. If they qualify for UEFA Cup their thin squad could be stretched too far to make the impact in the Premier League they were capable of last season.

About The Author-- David Walker runs Unibet free bet and football betting systems websites. A free email course: "Seven Days to Better Betting" is available at both of these websites.

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