A Newcastle fan’s view ahead of Newcastle v Spurs

Who are you and why are you a Magpie?

Hi, my name is Marley Anderson and I’m the chief sports writer for www.newcastle.gloryfootball.com, I’ve recently graduated from Huddersfield Uni and am looking for a way into the journalism industry! I’m a magpie through my family, who are from Newcastle and it runs in the blood.

I imagine you and just about everyone else on Tyneside can’t wait for the new season to start given the unexpected (relative) success last time out?

Last season was excellent for us and it means this time round a lot of teams are going to give us more respect when we meet on a Saturday. The success we had last season was unexpected but we have an excellent base on which to build and the added pulling factor of European football to attract new players so hopefully we can do something similar this time round.

Have you made any new signings worthy of mention?

We’ve been relatively quiet in the transfer window, although we will do some business before the window shuts. We look to have signed Vurnon Anita from Ajax. He’s a left-back so will give us some much needed depth in defence. Other than that it’s been mostly rumours that have failed to come off, most notably with the saga of Matheiu Debuchy from Lille. We have signed Romain Amalfitano from Lens and Gael Bigirimana from Coventry, but they’ll mostly be playing in the reserve and youth team squads this season. We have Sylvain Marveaux back too, which will be like a new signing on the wing. Look out for him if he stays injury-free, he’s got real talent.

And has anyone of note departed, or been injured, or on strike, or anything really that would affect you fielding your strongest side on Saturday?

There isn’t any major problems which will stop us fielding our strongest side on Saturday, as we have a fairly clean bill of health after pre-season. Whilst no major signings have happened, the good thing is that none of our stars have been lured away by megabucks clubs, so we’re in pretty good shape.

Spurs have made a lot of the close season ‘news’ what with Harry, AVB and Modric. From a distance does it look to like knitting unraveling or a master plan coming together? (Be kind please.)

It’s been interesting watching Spurs over the last year or so, because it seems like it’s all change just when you could start thinking about being a serious rival to the top three. With Harry at the realm and the team playing well, all of a sudden he’s left and Modric has left too, which is probably the two biggest departures you feared most. I am a fan of AVB though, but whether he will hit the ground running without Modric pulling the strings is another thing. I can see him pulling out all the stops to sign Joao Moutinho, which will be a great signing if it happens.

What did you think of the Olympics? Will you miss the sound of Vangelis on loop blaring from your TV?

The Olympics was fantastic. We stepped up and showed the world what we can do with that opening ceremony and the athletes didn’t disappoint either. The cycling team was immense and the rowers also.

And a few quick ones –

In terms of fruit sizes, how optimistic for the new campaign are you where a grape is “Do we really have to go through with all 38 games?” and a watermelon is “What do you mean you haven’t cleared any space for new silverware?

The fruit question is one of the strangest ones I’ve ever encountered but I’d have to say an apple. With the success of last season giving us momentum, we can push on and look for more of the same. However, with this being Newcastle, it wouldn’t surprise me if it resembled more of a Banana come next May!

Where do you see Newcastle finishing?

I see Newcastle finishing in the top 7, either 6th or 7th. It’s hard to marry European football and have a successful league campaign, so this kind of finish would be a good return.

Where do you see Tottenham finishing?

I see Tottenham finishing 6th or 7th too! I think Chelsea have strengthened so much they will be challenging for the title, whilst the Manchester Clubs and Arsenal will fill the rest of the top four for me. Liverpool could falter and finish outside the top 5, potentially opening up 5th for Spurs, but it all depends on how Brendan Rodgers fits in at Liverpool and AVB replaces Modric at White Hart Lane.

And finally, a scoreline prediction.

Score prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham

By MF

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