Newcastle United have for many years been regarded as the sleeping giant of English football. With the third largest fan-base in the Premiership, expectations for the club are always high. So with new manager Sam Allardyce at the helm, and billionaire Mike Ashley about to take control of the club, does the 2007-08 season promise to be the dawn of a new age for the Magpies?

Since 1991 seven managers, including Sir Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish and Ruud Gullit, have all tried in vain to gain the success the Toon Army demands. Newcastle’s last major league title came in 1927 and with only the FA Cup in 1955 and European Fairs Cup in 1969 finding their way to the St. James’ Park trophy cabinet, the patience of the club’s loyal following has been wearing thin.

So what has been the problem? It certainly hasn’t been money. Outgoing chairman Freddy Shepherd has invested over £104m in players over the past five seasons, but the influx of high-profile stars such as Patrick Kluivert and Michael Owen has made little impact.

"It promises to be another roller-coaster ride for the Toon Army over the coming season"


First indications from the new owners and management suggest that stability is the key. Ashley has ordered a complete review of Newcastle’s financial structure before deciding how much money will be made available for team building; and the names on Allardyce’s shopping list indicate a detour from the club’s annual trophy signings. Big Sam is already reviewing the club's training facilities and fitness regime after concerns about the high level of injuries sustained by first-team players.

It appears that in Ashley and Allardyce Newcastle has a team capable of stopping the rot. Ashley is a shrewd businessman and European football history will support his cautious approach; throwing money at problems has limited success in the game. Allardyce is one of the more progressive managers in the Premiership. His coaching style is dependent on the support of highly-skilled backroom staff and he is committed to the discipline of Sports Science as an invaluable tool for his coaching process.

He will also be aware from his time at Bolton that a successful club takes time to build. Even Sir Alex Ferguson had to endure three barren seasons before creating the current Old Trafford dynasty.

The task that lies ahead for Ashley and Allardyce was further highlighted by former manager Graeme Souness earlier this week. Souness warned the new regime that they had inherited considerable problems at Newcastle, adding that the club was a long way from closing the gap on the Premiership’s big four. His suggestion that large-scale investment was the only solution may not fit in with Ashley’s immediate plans for the club.

It promises to be another roller-coaster ride for the Toon Army over the coming season and with stability seeming to be the short-term priority, success and breaking into the Premiership elite may still be light years away.

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