The 2002/2003 Season

By Matthew Jones
May 12 2003

Transfers


In
  • Hugo Viana (Sporting Lisbon) - £8.5million
  • Titus Bramble (Ipswich) - Undisclosed (about £5million)
  • Jonathan Woodgate (Leeds) - £8million (rising to £9M if we win the Champions League)

Out
  • Karl Colley (Sheff Utd) - App. Based
  • Mark Boyd (Port Vale) - Free
  • James Coppinger (Exeter) - Free
  • Gary Caldwell (Coventry) - Loan
  • Stuart Green (Hull) - Loan
  • Wayne Quinn (Sheff Utd) - Loan


Terrace Views (Start of the season)


After a season in which Newcastle regained their status as the Premiership entertainers, it's fair to say that expectancy levels this time round have risen significantly, unless you happen to be a bookmaker.

Failure to progress to the group stages of the Champions League would be a sizeable financial blow to a club who have again supported their manager in the transfer market while other clubs have blustered but spent little or nothing.

On-going pantomimes at both Stamford Bridge and Elland Road continue to provide amusement, and look to have reduced the challenge of two of our alleged main rivals for a high league finish. However it's still difficult to see past the Wenger/Houllier/Ferguson axis in the top three places.

We'll be hoping for the usual things: world peace, continental licensing hours, Peytar Reid to rejoin the Banana Splits and a total ban of the practice of playing music at grounds after goals are scored.

Expect: a debut Premiership goal from Marcelino, Gazza to appear in the Simpsons as assistant to Krusty the Clown. Don't Expect: Trophies, many sightings of the new away kit.

By Biffa of unofficial Newcastle website NUFC.com.

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Newcastle United go into the 2002/03 season on a high after what can only be classed as a successful season last year.

This season we have even more to look forward to. Sir Bobby Robson has not needed to sell before he can buy like many other clubs and so has built a stronger team on last season's success, and whilst it includes quality it also now has a mass of youth which means the side can go on and get better together.

Viana seems to be the pick of Newcastle's current two pre-season signings having already picked up the European Young Player of the Year award, broken into the Portugal international set up and yet he is only 19-years-old.

Titus Bramble heads to the club in much the same way as Craig Bellamy did at the start of last season. Bramble looked shaky at the back for now relegated Ipswich last season despite having received many plaudits the year before.

At £6million it will seem a bargain if performs as Bellamy did in his first season, however with Newcastle's back four never been known for being watertight he may struggle.

If pre-season is anything to go by then Newcastle will once again look forward to not only a attacking form of football but also entertainment and success on the field. However what classes as success this season?

In my opinion success would be to finish at least fouth but maybe pushing for that top three spot, with a good run in the Champions League and the FA and Worthington cups.

Either way, all Geordies are looking forward to the new season. Howay the lads!!

By Phillip Craig of unofficial Newcastle website ToonTastic.

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Last season came as something of a surprise for Newcastle United supporters, but it was nonetheless, enjoyable. Although we endured our fair share of injuries, they did not seem to take their toll as they had in previous injuries (losing Bellamy was a big blow in the title run in but no-one really thought we were championship material).

For NUFC to finish fourth again, would be a massive achievement for a young, developing side. Once again, Sir Bobby has invested in youth with Viana and Bramble arriving at SJP to join a squad brimming with confidence and a following bursting with expectation.

A season of good football awaits - top six would be brilliant and a good run in the Cups to bring some lonmg awaited silverware back to Tyneside. Oh, and the Mackems to get relegated. Am I asking too much?

By Michael Martin of Newcastle fanzine site True Faith.

Check out TyneTalk's own opinion on the Magpies, by clicking on the 'Toon Review' link.

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