Premier League Preview 2011-12: Newcastle United

Best title odds: 5000/1 - WilliamHill
Best odds on relegation: 6/1 - Bluesquare
Last season: 12th
Manager: Alan Pardew

Good news:

The results of the past two seasons will have exceeded expectations for most sane members of the Toon Army. A promotion as champions amidst turmoil was followed by the relative comfort of mid-table when returning to the big time. The remarkable 4-4 draw with Arsenal , having been 0-4 down, may have persuaded a fair few that Pardew could do a decent job on Tyneside. Admittedly, this was before we learnt that the Gunners could capitulate against anybody, given half a chance.

Bad news:

Mike Ashley. Even the Venky’s Group at Blackburn probably think that the Newcastle supremo has acted a bit rashly at times. This was a guy who was unpopular around St James’s Park even before he booted out Chris Hughton - the man who turned the club’s fortunes around with such aplomb in just a year and a half. The Toon Army might have just about been appeased by the appointment of Jose Mourinho, despite his lack of local connections, but instead they got Alan Pardew; a man recently sacked by League One Southampton. Allowing the best players, like captain Kevin Nolan, to leave this summer really hasn’t helped.

Remember when:

Newcastle went about their business in an orderly fashion with a long standing manager who benefitted from unwavering support from the board? No? Neither can we.

Verdict:

You sell your best striker in January for £35m and re-invest next to nothing of that sum. You then offload your skipper, and fall out with the next best midfielder at the club, Joey Barton, and allow him to leave for free. The pick of the defenders, Jose Enrique is reportedly on his way out the door too. In years to come, this may be used as a case study of how to ruin a football club in the modern era. Twitter hasn’t helped, but Mike Ashley must take the blame. Anything other than relegation this season is more than he deserves.

Prediction: 16th