Newcastle United FC: 5 Bold Predictions for the Premier League Season

Hello there fellow Bleachers!

I’m Alex Guy, and this is my first article on my biggest passion: Newcastle United Football Club.

I was born and raised in the Newcastle area and as all followers of the EPL will know, Newcastle United have some of the most diehard supporters of any English Premier League team. I am one of them.

After a promising start to the season, which (at the time of this article's publication) sees us with four points, no goals conceded and—perhaps most importantly to Newcastle United fans—a win over northeast rivals Sunderland AFC, Newcastle United fans are becoming a lot more optimistic about this upcoming season.

But what exactly do The Magpies have in store for them?

In this slideshow, I will offer you five bold, yet realistic, predictions for the season ahead and my thoughts on each one.

Let’s get this show on the road!

A Top 10 Finish? Yes, We Can.

Early games set the tone for any club's upcoming season.

The Newcastle United fans couldn’t have wished for a better start.

The victory over Sunderland AFC will give both the players and fans a huge confidence boost as we prepare for the hard work of the season ahead.

The club’s new signings, especially midfield maestro Yohan Cabaye, have looked very comfortable in their outings for the team, in the Arsenal and Sunderland games and in preseason friendlies.

With great confidence drawn from early outings and new signings looking strong, a Top 10 finish is a real possibility.

Alan Pardew WILL Be in Charge at the End of the Season

This prediction was not easy for me to put down, but I had to make it for two obvious reasons.

Reason No. 1 is that Pardew is a manager who can offer the club safety and security.

He’s a prudent manager who’s going to ensure that the club doesn’t overstretch itself in aiming too high, thus making the team more vulnerable to failure.

Reason No. 2, as sad as it may be, is that Pardew is exactly the manager the board wants, a yes man.

He’s never going to storm into the boardroom making demands, and he’ll always be the manager that "does the best with what he’s got."

As far as the chairman is concerned, that makes for a good manager.

Player of the Season? Look No Further Than Fabricio Coloccini

Newcastle United’s No. 2 looked strong and assured in the heart of the defence last season, a far cry from the player who made a very mediocre debut for the team in August 2008.

The old saying that "a season in the championship is good for you" seems to have rung very true for Coloccini who, after our championship-winning season in 2009-2010, showed signs of being the player the Newcastle United fans were lead to believe he was, when he was signed for a reported £10.3 million.

Having been named captain this season, expect more strong showings from the central defender, culminating in him being named the team’s player of the season.

Another Derby Day Victory? You Can Bank on It

In a recent newspaper interview before the club’s derby day victory at the Stadium Of Light last Saturday, striker Shola Ameobi claimed that, as far as games against Sunderland are concerned, The Magpies have always "wanted the game more."

That statement was further proved after a battling performance that culminated in our victory on August 20.

Quite simply, Newcastle United respond to the derby day atmosphere and Sunderland do not.

With the return fixture at St. James’ Park scheduled for March 3, expect another Magpies victory, backed by extremely vocal home support.

A Very Quiet January Transfer Window

Simply put, the chairman has never (and likely will never) invested any more than he has to into the club, so any hopes Newcastle United fans had of a few more quality signings in January look set to be crushed.

The January transfer window is noted for one or two major signings in the English Premier League, but very little overall strengthening of squads.

As Newcastle’s current squad does not need (in the chairman’s view) a few more quality signings, it looks set to be a very frustrating winter for fans expecting more top-class players to be brought into St. James’ Park.

Conclusion

Personally, I think Newcastle United have a very underrated squad, with masses of international experience and plenty of young, talented prospects on the verge of making their Premier League breakthroughs.

The players will take huge confidence from their start of the season.

If the battling performances against Arsenal and Sunderland are indicators, Newcastle United look set to have a very exciting season ahead.

As always on Bleacher Report, the comment box is there for a reason, so feel free to have your say.

What do you predict for Newcastle’s season? Can the Club achieve a Top 10 finish? Who would you bring into the squad if you were in charge?

As always, constructive feedback and suggestions for future articles are appreciated.

Thank you for reading!