The 2009-10 season may be done and dusted but here at FFS Towers, we never rest on our laurels. Thoughts and plans have already turned to next season and, amongst other things, the teams coming up from the Championship. As Mark has already mentioned, the next few weeks will see us Scouting the World Cup with South Africa 2010 providing plenty of fantasy football options in June and July, but for just now, here’s our End of Season report on Newcastle United…

Newcastle have wasted no time in putting last season’s relegation disappointment behind them by winning the Championship in emphatic style, thus ensuring a return to the top flight at the very first attempt.

With the Alan Shearer experiment already a distant memory, the Geordies effortlessly coped being the proverbial “big fish in a small pond”, and ran away with the division, becoming only the fourth club to win promotion with 100 points or more in doing so.

A record-breaking final day home gate (52,000+ for a Championship game) indicates the fans’ faith is finally restored, though expectations will perhaps not be as high as in previous years, as the club return to the Premier League slightly chastened in the knowledge that last time around they were not, after all, too good to go down.

The Statistics

A breakdown of Newcastle’s stats last season reads as:

CS = Cleansheets

St James’ Park was a fortress, with the team unbeaten at home for the entire campaign. In addition to the above statistics, Newcastle conceded more than one goal at home just twice. Their free-scoring performances in front of the Geordie faithful meant they scored more than two goals on ten occasions, and only failed to score at home in two games.

On the road the side were less effective, a fact understandable given the exceptional home record. They conceded more than one goal eight times on the road, but scored more than two goals just twice. However, they only failed to score on their travels on three occasions.

The Manager

Despite winning Championship Manager of the Month award for August and September and leading the team to the top of the division, Chris Hughton was not named permanent boss until the end of October. Whereas a host of high-profile names struggled to install any sense of team spirit, Hughton deserves credit for the way he has won over the dressing room.

By implementing a players’ committee, he has forged a togetherness amongst the previously fractious Newcastle squad, and the resultant hard-working team ethic and fantastic spirit amongst the players has shown in their on-pitch performances.

Depending on the opponent, Hughton tends to opt for either a 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 formation, favouring the latter more so at St James Park. Whether this continues when Newcastle step back up to the Premier League remains to be seen, though most away games (and perhaps difficult home games) will surely see a more cautious approach, with one supporting midfield player playing just off a lone striker.

Selection-wise, there is a small core of players making up the heart of this team. In total, only nine players started half or more of Newcastle’s league games last term, indicative of the 4-4-1-1 set-up: Steve Harper as goalkeeper, Danny Simpson and Jose Enrique at full-back, Fabricio Colocinni at centre-half, Jonas Gutierrez on the left wing, Alan Smith, Danny Guthrie and Kevin Nolan in centre midfield, and Andy Carroll up front.

A more adventurous 4-4-2 would probably see Smith the likeliest to be dropped in centre midfield, with Peter Lovenkrands, Leon Best or Shola Ameobi up top next to Andy Carroll. In addition, January signings Wayne Routledge and Mike Williamson seem to have established themselves at right wing and centre half respectively, and though injuries to Joey Barton and Steven Taylor may perhaps have affected Hughton’s line-ups, the team has certainly proved itself in the absence of both.

The Promoted Squad

As mentioned above, Hughton placed his faith in a select few to help guide Newcastle back to the Premier League. Here’s the main men that helped them get there:

Steve Harper (45 starts) Finally established as the club’s number one after so many years as understudy to Shay Given, Harper proved himself to be reliable in performance and fitness, missing just one league match all season.

Danny Simpson (39 starts, 1 goal, 1 assist)
A solid performer at right-back, the former Man United man has been an integral, if not eye-catching, member of the Newcastle back four. On the back of his steady displays, Hughton made his loan deal from Old Trafford a permanent one in January 2010.

Jose Enrique (33 starts & 1 sub app. 1 goal, 4 assists)
With Newcastle unlikely to chalk up a host of clean sheets, any defenders worth consideration need to have an attacking edge to their game. Enrique’s ability to bomb up and down the left flank suggests that if any Newcastle defender will get amongst the points, it’ll be him.

Fabricio Coloccini (37 starts, 2 goals, 1 assist)
Many reckoned he would have bailed when Newcastle dropped out the Premier League, but the Argentinina centre-half proved to be a rock at the centre of defence. His £70,000 per week wages may have had something to do with his not leaving, but rumours of Coloccini’s departure are never far away.

Steven Taylor (21 starts, 1 goal)
An injury-blighted season ended in controversy and disappointment for the big centre-half, when an alleged March training ground bust-up with Andy Carroll put paid to his campaign with a broken jaw. Despite being a local favourite, the incident has meant Taylor is also one linked with a move away from St James Park in the summer.

Ryan Taylor (19 starts, 12 sub apps. 4 goals, 5 assists)
Not a first-choice player, but can operate as left back or in left midfield, meaning his versatility sees him gets more minutes than most. Has a sweet left foot, and is capable of delivering killer set pieces.

Mike Williamson (16 starts. January signing)
Initially signed as an emergency loan player in the January transfer window, the ex-Portsmouth defender has subsequently made 16 appearances at the heart of Newcastle’s defence. At 6 foot 4, he’s added a huge physical presence alongside Coloccini.

Alan Smith (31 starts, 1 sub app. 2 assists)
The engine room of the midfield. Combative as ever, Smith’s toil allows Danny Guthrie more space and time to take on the playmaker role in the middle of the park. His attacking output is pretty much non-existant though.

Danny Guthrie (36 starts & 2 sub apps. 4 goals, 12 assists)
Starting to fulfill his potential, with the move to Newcastle giving him first team football and allowing his talents the chance to flourish. Is the main man for corners and free kicks, meaning he’ll weigh in with a few assists. Has a fair shot on him too, capable of grabbing the occasional long-distance screamer.

Kevin Nolan (44 starts. 17 goals, 4 assists)
Hughton has managed to utilise Nolan in a way similar to his Bolton days, and his returns this season suggest he’s back to his best. A proven Premier League track record, his performances will be vital to the club’s success next term. Was involved in more game than any other outfield player, missing just two games; if he’s fit, he plays.

Jonas Gutierrez (34 starts, 3 sub apps. 4 goals, 7 assists)
Undoubtedly a class player, though his time at St James Park has been blighted by inconsistency. Damien Duff’s departure allowed him to switch from right to left flank and he’s established a good understanding with Enrique down that flank. Another who has been linked with a move away, though the Argentina winger recently declared he wants to stay at Newcastle for “many, many years”.

Wayne Routledge (15 starts & 2 sub apps. 3 goals, 4 assists. January signing)
Has made himself a first-team fixture on the right wing since his January move from QPR, and, like Newcastle, will be returning to the Premier League with a point to prove, following top-flight spells at both Aston Villa and Spurs. Before moving to St James Park, he’d racked up 2 goals and 9 assists at Loftus Road, making his tally for last season 5 goals and 13 assists.

Andy Carroll (33 starts & 6 sub apps. 17 goals, 11 assists)
The club’s number one striker. Hughton has backed him despite certain off-field incidents, and his on-field returns have illustrated why. Good in the air as well as on the ground, Carroll’s the perfect target man for United’s style of play and as the stats show, gets almost as many assists as he does goals. However, recent money problems at the club have led to suggestions that some clubs are already lining up bids for the striker, with Newcastle needing to generate money from sales in order to raise transfer funds this summer

Peter Lovenkrands (19 starts, 10 sub apps. 13 goals, 3 assists)
Can play on the wing or up front, where his movement is a suitable foil for Carroll’s more physical presence. Newcastle’s tactics may well restrict his on-field appearances next season if Hughton chooses to tighten up for the return to the Premier League. Tends to take penalties when on the pitch, which has aided his high goals return.

The Potential Targets

“The first-team squad that won the Championship this year will form the basis of the team for next season in the Premier League. There is no plan for new capital outlay on players.”

Earlier this week, Mike Ashley’s statement regarding the club’s current financial position means a lack of cash will force Newcastle to rely on loan deals and free transfers when acquiring new faces over the summer transfer window.

Having previously been linked with the likes of Stephen Hunt and Jimmy Bullard following Hull’s relegation, Chris Hughton will now instead turn to young, promising players who look likely to be farmed out by their parent clubs in the new season. At present, his alleged list of targets includes Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere and Man United pair Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley as Ashley’s purse-tightening suggests an exodus is imminent.

The possibility remains that any money generated from player sales will allow Hughton to strengthen his squad, and the Toon boss’ wheeling and dealing in the January transfer window suggests he knows how to strengthen the Newcastle first XI without busting the bank. This summer’s World Cup, therefore, will see Argentina duo Gutierrez and Coloccini pretty much in the shop window, and warring pair Steven Taylor and Andy Carroll may well be offloaded to help lighten the St James Park wage bill.

Clearly, if both Steven Taylor and Coloccini leave, a centre-half will be essential to partner Williamson in the heart of defence, and although Peter Lovenkrands and Ryan Taylor can both play left-wing in the event of Gutierrez leaving, a first-choice acquisition would surely be a priority.

Newcastle have the benefit of having Premier League experience throughout most of the team but it’s up front that they lack real top-flight nous. In spite of his great previous season, Andy Carroll has only really fully established himself as an automatic first-choice selection in the last year or so, and – given Hughton’s predilection for 4-4-1-1 – perhaps the Newcastle boss will be looking to boost his squad with someone more familiar with top-flight defences as a viable alternative to lead the line. Tony Pulis’ recent intentions of whittling down the Stoke squad means James Beattie will continue to be linked with a move away from the Potters’, and his profile certainly fits the bill at St James Park.

So that’s our rundown of Newcastle’s Championship season. During the summer, we’ll be keeping an eye on all the promoted clubs and once pre-season is done and dusted, we plan to revisit these end of season Scout Reports in light of both any summer acquisitions and Fantasy Premier League (FPL) starting prices, filtering them down to highlight five or six of the Toon Army’s best options in the build-up to the 2010-11 season.