2015-16 Premier League Season Preview: Newcastle United

Welcome to theScore's 2015-16 preview of Newcastle United. Transfer dealings, lineup projections, and everything else you need to know about the club's upcoming campaign.

Newcastle United

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Simply put, Newcastle's 2014-15 Premier League campaign was awful.

Like extracting blood from a stone, it's difficult to find any positives from last year's efforts, with avoiding the drop and narrowly finishing above rivals Sunderland acting as the only silver linings.

An embarrassing season notwithstanding, the Magpies are looking to bounce back this year inspired by some quality signings and the appointment of manager Steve McClaren.

2014-15 Season

Trophies Won: None

Finishing with a goal differential of minus-23, the Magpies barely escaped the drop, settling for 15th place in the table, a mere four points above relegated Hull City.

Amid organized protests from supporters demanding owner Mike Ashley sell the club, the state of Newcastle's hierarchy mirrored the product on the pitch: uninspired and lacking purpose.

Long-serving manager Alan Pardew was also a focal point of supporters' ire. Despite a run of six straight victories through November that saw him win Premier League Manager of the Month, the second-longest tenured gaffer in the top flight stepped down to take the Crystal Palace managerial position in January 2015.

Key Arrivals

• Aleksandar Mitrovic (from Anderlecht)
• Georginio Wijnaldum (from PSV)
• Chancel Mbemba (from Anderlecht)

Much of the optimism surrounding this year's Newcastle squad revolves around its two big summer signings, Wijnaldum and Mitrovic.

While the top clubs in England are able to recruit elite transfer targets, McClaren and his staff are forced to look elsewhere for difference-makers. Wijnaldum, 24, joins the Magpies on a £14.5-million move from Eredivisie champs PSV Eindhoven. The speedy attacking midfielder scored 41 goals in 109 appearances, and at 24 years old, has plenty of room to improve on his goal-scoring form.

Similarly, Mitrovic, 20, was on very few radars a season ago, but on the back of scoring 20 goals in 37 matches for Anderlecht last season, Newcastle has poached one of Europe's most electrifying young strikers.

Mbemba also joined Newcastle from Anderlecht. The center-back can provide cover where the squad is frighteningly short on depth and also in a defensive-midfield position should transfer rumors concerning Moussa Sissoko come to fruition.

Key Departures

• Davide Santon (Inter Milan)
• Sammy Ameobi (Cardiff City - loan)

Struggling to find consistent minutes since joining Newcastle in 2011, young Italian left-back Santon was sold to Inter Milan for a reported £3.26 million. Also leaving St. James' Park, albeit on loan, was Newcastle-born Ameobi, who joined Championship side Cardiff City for the season.

Projected Starting Lineup: (4-2-3-1)

Tim Krul; Massadio Haidara, Fabricio Coloccini, Steven Taylor, Daryl Janmaat; Moussa Sissoko, Cheick Tiote; Georginio Wijnaldum, Siem de Jong, Yoan Gouffran; Aleksandar Mitrovic

Unlike last season, barring any more injuries, McClaren should have more lineup options than his predecessors. In lieu of Remy Cabella's long-term thigh injury, Gouffran will likely move into the right midfield slot until the former Montpellier man's return.

The first three off the bench should be striker Papiss Cisse, who may start should Mitrovic struggle to acclimate to the Premier League, Spanish attacker Ayoze Perez and defensive midfielder Jack Colback. Also look for midfielders Vurnon Anita and Gael Bigirimana to make several appearances for the Magpies.

Tactically speaking, McClaren's main concern will be providing cover for his back four. Coloccini and Taylor both have their best days behind them, and despite depth in the midfield and attacking positions, the back-four appears quite thin, especially at injury-riddled center-back.

Player To Watch: Georginio Wijnaldum

Wijnaldum's strength in possession and pace will help Newcastle keep the ball, something that hindered its performances for much of last season. The Dutchman is a dynamic talent with heaps of potential, but in order to transition to the Premier League, the Oranje winger will have to work on his tackling and being mindful of overlapping threats on the wings.

Keep One Eye On: Papiss Cisse

Three Questions

1. Is McClaren fit to manage a Premier League club in turmoil?
2. Can the new Magpies adapt to the pace of England's top flight?
3. Will they again narrowly avoid the drop?

Trivial Matters

• Manager: Steve McClaren
• Nickname: The Magpies
• Stadium: St. James' Park (Capacity: 52,405)