Bobby Robson Newcastle Utd: Last Season: 11th, 52pts W14 D10 L14 F63 A54 Stadium: St. James's Park (105x68yds) Capacity: 36,834 Year Formed: 1881 Manager: Bobby Robson Chairman: Mr. F. Shepherd

Carl Cort

They don't expect to win the league or get into the top three. Shearer accepts nobody will catch Manchester United this season and Robson says his team would be doing well to finish in the top eight. Groan!

Granted, it is taking time for Robson to shape his squad into what he wants. He is looking for steady progress and an improvement on last year would make everybody happy. But he remains one of the best club managers in the world and you feel that, for pyschological gains alone, United should be fired by more outward ambition. Realism is fine, but it can clip your wings.

Daniele Cordone

The most significant move in the transfer market over the summer for the Toon army has been the arrival of Carl Cort. Due to the financial situation at St James Park, his transfer takes on increasing importance, especially in the light of Duncan Ferguson's return to Everton. Robson certainly hasn't bought him to play in the reserves and, although he wasn't the number one target, as Emile Mpenza was high on the list, Cort is highly-rated, young and English. Playing with Shearer will take the pressure off him, but the club will be looking for good things.

Shearer, though, remains the most important player at St James's and the one everyone looks to for goals. Despite the signing of Cort, the pressure will be on him and the club canāt afford to lose him if they want to do well.

The Toon army have been to Wembley in the past three years and it was only four years ago the club was challenging Manchester United for the title. But last year there was the possibility of relegation, so continued development under Robson with steady progress would satisfy the masses on Tyneside.

Christian Bassedas

Robson says he is happy, and has made it clear he is satisfied with the squad and optimistic for the new season. The team will still play to its strengths, playing direct football up to the front man. The defence is not strong enough to cope with a more open and attractive game, so they will be looking to service Shearer and Cort as much as possible. Newcastle scored the most headed goals in the Premiership last season and one can still see them playing that type of game, despite the absence of Ferguson.

Relegation is probably more likely that a Champions League place, but Robson can take them onwards and upwards so the most likely outcome is a mid-table finish with a good cup run thrown in for good measure.

1 Shay Given (G)
2 Warren Barton (D)
3 Marcelino Elena (D)
4 Didier Domi (D)
5 Alain Goma (D)
6
7 Rob Lee (M)
8 Kieron Dyer (M)
9 Alan Shearer (F)
10 Christian Bassedas (M)
11 Gary Speed (M)
12 Andy Griffin (D)
13 Steve Harper (G)
14
15 Nolberto Solano (M)
16 Carl Cort (F)
17 Daniel Cordone (F)
18 Aaron Hughes (D)
19 Stephen Glass (M)
20
21 Diego Gavilan (M)
22 Jamie McClen (M)
23
24 Garry Brady (M)
25 Brian Kerr
26 James Coppinger (M)
27 David Beharall (D)
28
29
30 Stephen Caldwell (D)
31 Stu Green
32 Kevin Gallacher (F)
33 Des Hamilton (D)
34 Nikos Dabizas (D)
35
36 Gary Caldwell (D)
37 Laurent Charvet (D)
38
39 Dave MacMahon (F)
40 Carl Serrant (D)

Jonathan Brain (G)
John Karelse (G)

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