Kevin Keegan will begin the season in charge at his beloved Newcastle United for the first time in eleven seasons and once again it is difficult to predict what the club may achieve this season. Year on year the team promises to improve but more often then not, a combination of poor signings and other off the field activities combine to create a mini crisis at Saint James Park. Up until now Keegan’s second spell at the club as been relatively lacklustre in comparison to his first time in charge.

So far, Keegan has not made the signings that perhaps he had hoped for. However, there are couple of deals that in the long term may make Newcastle more competitive. The £10.5 Million capture of Deportivo La Coruna defender Fabricio Coloccini is an interesting purchase. The 26 year old is an established Argentine international and if he can adjust quickly to the pace of the Premier League may become one of the buys of the season. Keegan has also signed another player from the Spanish La Liga. Jonas Gutierrez is most known in Spain for his Spiderman mask that he puts on after he scores a goal and fans will be hoping that they see it often. The Argentine winger joins from Real Mallorca for an undisclosed fee.

Also joining the club this summer are Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie, he has signed a four year contract for a reported £2.5 Million fee. French defender Sebastien Bassong has also joined from French club Metz for an undisclosed fee.

During the summer Keegan has also allowed a number of players brought to the club under previous managers to leave. David Rozehnal had a miserable time last season and was quickly sent on loan to Italian team Lazio. He has now made this move permanent, completing a £2.9 Million transfer.

Turkish midfielder Emre has also departed. He has returned home to join Fenerbahce for £3.8 Million. Keegan has allowed youngster Peter Ramage to move on, he has joined Championship outfit QPR. Abdoulaye Faye has joined newly promoted Stoke City and Stephen Carr has been released after he was not offered a new contract.

As the season begins, Newcastle supporters will be unsure what to expect this time around. Although they are pleased that Kevin Keegan is back at the club, they remain unconvinced that the team will improve on their performances in recent seasons. Much will depend on keeping the two main strikers fit. Michael Owen and Mark Viduka have demonstrated on occasions that they can be a handful for even the tightest of defences, but rarely are Newcastle able to play both at the same time.

Coloccini’s arrival is their best piece of business this summer and if they can keep him fit then Newcastle may begin to solve the defensive problems that have plagued them for so long. It is unlikely, but it is possible that they may challenge for a European position.