The Northern Echo sportsdesk looks at the season ahead for North-East football clubs

The Northern Echo: Nick Loughlin

Newcastle United

WHAT makes a manager of the calibre of Rafa Benitez hang around to work under such trying circumstances under Mike Ashley? As Kevin Keegan once said, it’s not like it was in the brochure. His patience must be wearing thin as he weaves his magic on the training ground with a squad short of top quality.

One to watch: Kenedy
Prediction: 13th

Middlesbrough

EXPECT a big, strong, organised side which will make the play-offs. Tony Pulis knows what he wants and how to go about it. He has a way of playing, they might not be nice to watch, but it will be effective with a big emphasis on set-plays and centre-halves making a nuisance of themselves in the opposition box.

One to watch: Aiden Flint
Prediction: 6th

Sunderland AFC

MAKING so many new signings this summer at a club under new ownership hints for a clearer future. The disasters of the last two seasons have surely bottomed out and the club can start to compete again. However, Leeds and Forest, among others in recent years, have indicated this division is not a gimme.

One to watch: Jack Baldwin
Prediction: 8th

Hartlepool United

STABILITY is what Pools have craved for after two seasons every bit as disastrous as Sunderland’s.

New ownership brings a structure to a club which is fortunate to be still in existence. Pools should have been competitive last season, and the signs are that they will be this time out with some astute signings.

One to watch: Liam Noble
Prediction: 9th

Darlington

THE North-East nucleus of the squad has been broken up, as the manager looked further afield, going with players he knows from outside. There’s no reason to suggest their progressive nature has eased and they should be challenging at the right end of the table once again, as has become the norm in recent years.

One to watch: Harvey Saunders
Prediction: 6th

Spennymoor Town

LIKE Quakers, ambitious Moors have changed the shape of their squad. It should make them more competitive and see them snare a play-off spot after missing out last season. All that cost them last season was the endless fixture backlog and with a better squad and better weather they will make it.

One to watch: Adam Boyes
Prediction: 4th

Premier League: 1 Man City, 2 Liverpool, 3 Arsenal, 4 Tottenham
Relegated: Cardiff City, Watford, Brighton
FA Cup: Chelsea
League Cup: Liverpool

The Northern Echo: Craig Stoddart

Newcastle United

YOU’VE got to wonder why Rafael Benitez bothers. He takes over a failing club, returns them to the Premier League after relegation and his reward is being allowed to sign Ki Sung-yueng from Swansea City. Crucially, he values the affection of the Newcastle’s fans, but he will receive offers from elsewhere. Mid-table beckons.

One to watch: Kenedy
Prediction: 15th

Middlesbrough

THEY did not smash the Championship last year when Garry Monk was allowed to spend big, but Boro have a greater chance of succeeding this time around with pragmatic Tony Pulis at the helm.

Hanging on to Adama Traore is key, but a lack of firepower remains an issue unless Britt Assombalonga comes good.

One to watch: Lewis Wing
Prediction: 3rd

Sunderland

AS the Joy Division-themed t-shirts produced by the A Love Supreme fanzine say, unknown pleasures await. It’s a new era, but they’ll soon get used to their surroundings and enjoy it once they start stringing wins together. Might be a bit much to expect a title win, but they will be challenging for promotion.

One to watch: Charlie Wyke
Prediction: 3rd

Hartlepool United

NEW manager, new players, new strip... This sounds very familiar. Hartlepool United tried the new broom approach 12 months ago and it didn’t work out. Also familiar is the chairman, last seen at Darlington. Pools have placed a large amount of trust in a man with a lot to prove and a dubious track record.

One to watch: Luke James
Prediction: 12th

Darlington

SEVEN summer signings are all impressive on paper, but in pre-season any improvement on last season has not been immediately obvious. Tommy Wright’s era as manager started slowly, and with some tough fixtures early on – the first three away games are all against promotion contenders – it may take time to find a winning formula.

One to watch: Jonny Maddison
Prediction: 6th

Spennymoor Town

IT was only the poor condition of the Brewery Field pitch that cost them last season. The finances available made to Jason Ainsley mean Moors will again be a play-off contender. They have lost Kallum Griffiths to York, but Moors recruited well in the summer with Adam Boyes – 24 goals last season for Bradford PA – a notable addition.

One to watch: Rob Ramshaw
Prediction: 5th

Premier League: 1 Man City, 2 Liverpool, 3 Tottenham, 4 Man United
Relegated: Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Crystal Palace
FA Cup: Liverpool 
League Cup: Tottenham

The Northern Echo: Scott Wilson

Newcastle United

ANOTHER summer, another missed opportunity. It certainly feels that way, with Mike Ashley refusing to loosen the purse strings and supporter discontent threatening to boil over once more. Rafael Benitez proved his managerial mettle last season, but he will have to work another miracle to keep the Magpies in the top half.

One to watch: Kenedy
Prediction: 16th

Middlesbrough

WE know what to expect from a Tony Pulis team by now, and while Middlesbrough might not be especially attractive to watch, they should be effective. Pulis opted against a major overhaul in the wake of May’s play-off disappointment, but Aden Flint strengthens an already reliable back four.

One to watch: Aden Flint
Prediction: 4th

Sunderland

IT has been a whirlwind summer on Wearside, with Sunderland boasting a new owner, new manager and a host of new players. It feels like a new start, and it will have to be given the extent of the club’s failings over the last two seasons. A positive start and a bit of early momentum could be key.

One to watch: Lynden Gooch
Prediction: 1st

Hartlepool United

LIKE Sunderland, Hartlepool have also had a radical summer overhaul. The financial crisis that almost sent the club under last season has eased, and Matthew Bates can concentrate on events on the field. Pools look to have strengthened well, with Andrew Davies adding some experience to the defence.

One to watch: Niko Muir
Prediction: 10th

Darlington

QUAKERS’ surge up the pyramid might have stalled, but this summer’s investment suggests there is a still a desire to continue pushing. Tommy Wright hopes to build on the positives from the second half of last season, with the added firepower provided by Simon Ainge likely to be crucial. The play-offs are a realistic ambition.

One to watch: Simon Ainge
Prediction: 5th

Spennymoor Town

THE Spennymoor success story shows no sign of slowing, with Jason Ainsley’s side again starting the season with realistic hopes of promotion. The defence has undergone a major overhaul, but Jamie Chandler remains the beating heart of midfield and should be playing at a higher level. Expect Moors to again punch above their weight. 

One to watch: Jamie Chandler
Prediction: 7th

Premier League: 1 Man City, 2 Liverpool, 3 Man United, 4 Tottenham
Relegated: Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Watford
FA Cup: Chelsea
League Cup: Arsenal

The Northern Echo: Paul Fraser

Newcastle United

IT has been another one of those summers at St James’ Park, and is reminiscent of last year when few expected Newcastle to do well. What Rafa Benitez proved last year is he can still do a job and get a team working like he wants, so the Magpies can still impress this year … even if they might struggle to finish above tenth. 

One to watch: Martin Dubravka
Prediction: 11th

Middlesbrough

WHEN Tony Pulis was appointed he seemed like the perfect man to lead Boro back to the Premier League. Having had half a season to feel his way and a full pre-season behind him, now is the time for him to prove why Steve Gibson went for him. He needs to start well and he needs to get the new men in his team believing in his ways from the off.

One to watch: Paddy McNair
Prediction: 4th

Sunderland

THE huge changes at the Stadium of Light were required whether the squad is worse than it was before or better. Has Jack Ross made the right moves in the transfer market to lead an immediate promotion charge? He seems to have been wise with his targets and the fans are ready to back the new era.

One to watch: Jerome Sinclair
Prediction: 1st

Hartlepool United

MATTHEW BATES deserved to be handed the chance after keeping Pools up last year and he has been backed in the transfer market by Raj Singh and Craig Hignett. Bates has a nice spine running through the team so hopefully they can enjoy a good year, even if a Football League return might be too big an ask.

One to watch: Andrew Davies
Prediction: 5th

Darlington

TOMMY WRIGHT has changed the face of the squad since he took over and this summer has seen seven new signings to try to improve things. They have not looked too bad during pre-season particularly impressive against Sunderland, so the Quakers can do well this season under his watch in the National League North.

One to watch: Reece Styche
Prediction: 4th

Spennymoor Town

IT has been success story after success story at Spennymoor under Jason Ainsley and he was unfortunate to miss out on promotion last year. That should have whetted the appetite to have an even greater go this time around, even if the division has some tough teams all wanting to follow Salford out of it.

One to watch: Jamie Chandler
Prediction: 5th

Premier League: 1 Liverpool, 2 Man City, 3 Tottenham, 4 Man United
Relegated: Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Watford
FA Cup: Manchester United
League Cup: Tottenham