J-Co as he insists on not being called is a Geordie lad who was pleasantly surprised at the season Newcastle United had last time out. The Champions League may have been a bridge too far but the club is back in Europe and on the up. Here J-Co talks to us about his hopes for next season….

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After that amazing performance last season how do you think Newcastle will fare this season?

EUROPA: Have a few games in the Europa Cup to keep the fans happy who usually got to Benidorm for a week.  Bless them,  they can experience something rather more exotic in terms of destination. Happy for us to go out early competition, it will be to much of a strain on an already small team.

LEAGUE: Top half is a must, have to be realistic that last year probably won’t be repeated (that’s what the omniscient pundits say, but then look at us last year).

FA CUP: Will draw Liverpool away in the 4^th round and be knocked out by a dubious goal before goal line technology is introduced. 

LEAGUE CUP: See above

Realistically what will you consider to be a successful season for Newcastle?

7th and above

What has to happen for the Geordies to deliver the season you hope for?

Not sign Andy Carroll, unless it is on a free, or Carroll and 5m for Danny Guthrie, hold on, he has been released. Carroll and 5M for Shola Ameobi.

Tell us one thing that Alan Pardew will say in a press conference this coming season?

Pards will be well advised to steer clear of previous narrative such as the MOTD2 incident (saying “he absolutely rapes him” when discussing Essien’s challenge on Ched Evans).

If you could have any player from any team in world football at St.Jam…sorry The Sports Direct Arena who would you take and why?

Messi; he is the Argentinian Peter Beardsley (based on looks) and would adore the cosmopolitan offering the Bigg Market presents on a Saturday night.

If you could change one thing about Newcastle what would it be?

I wish we could eradicate the Kenny Dalglish era (and Kenny Dalglish, period).

As always there are a number of foreign players joining our shores, this gives the red tops opportunities for some new puns; What do you think they will come up with?

Duke’s of Hazard (Eden decks Joey Barton)

So let’s talk about the transfer window, how’s it been for NUFC so far?

At the time of speaking:

• Slow on  inward bound traffic (2 signings)
• Frenetic on departures (11 released, 2 sold players sold)

I’m elated we finally off loaded Danny Guthrie. He was never good enough (even when we were poor); the team has  been cleansed of any former LFC player, which is never a bad thing. Sad to see Peter Lovenkrands released.  He came to NUFC’s rescue with a vital equaliser against WBA just hours after returning from Denmark following the death of his father.  He could only gain more admiration if he were the son of a sheet metal worker from Jesmond.

I’m also pleased (to date) that we haven’t made any ‘trophy signing’ of an over the hill, has been, for ridiculous money (a previous NUFC strategy)

Be honest, are there any players signed that you could have done without?

Andy Carroll (if signed)

Anyone that you’re surprised is still at the club?

Shola Ameobi, but rumour has it, Big Sam may take care of that for us.

The window is still open, there is potential for more incomings and outgoings. Who do the club need to keep hold of?

In my mind, we need to keep Krull, Coloccini, Tiote, Cabeye, Ben Arfa and Cisse. I haven’t included Ba, I know.  It is not because I don’t think he is important to the club,  I do.  I am just not sure where he would go / who will take him outside of the lesser teams (your Villa’s, your Fulham’s your Stokes, your Liverpool’s) and why would he want to go there when he is playing for the team that narrowly missed out on 3^rd last season.  He is staying put.

Who do you think will be the signing of the season?

Eden Hazard

And this seasons “Stewart Downing Award Winner” a.k.a the biggest flop?

Andy Carroll

He was actually a strong contender last year! There is bound to be transfer deadline day drama, who do you think will be the big story? 

RVP

Right, let’s have some predictions, who do you think will win the league? And why?

Man Utd: Man City have vexed SAF, once is careless, it won’t happen again

And the rest of the Top 4 in order….

Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal

Who do you fancy for the FA Cup?

Man City

Champions League?

Man City

The bottom three in the Premier League?

All the ‘W’s; West Ham, West Brom, Wigan

Which club do you think won’t be able to live up to the hype?

My heart makes me want to say Liverpool, but my head says Spurs

There is no obvious candidate for the Golden Boot this season, who’ll win it?

Let’s be controversial; Cisse (the Papiss Demba variety)

And who will be the player of the season?

Fernando Torres (purely because it will annoy anyone connected with LFC).

Who will perform best of the promoted clubs?

I tip Southampton to do well.

The first managerial casualty to be relieved of their duties (With immediate effect) will be…

If there is a God (and lets be clear, I don’t think there is), it will be Brendan.

J-Co (Newcastle United Fan)