Football Season Guide

Newcastle will consider themselves somewhat unfortunate to go down last term but back in the Championship they are nevertheless despite Rafa Benitez's attempts to keep them up. Arguably their biggest signing of the summer is keeping hold of Benitez. Benitez has been able to go on a spending spree of his own - in excess of £30 million - thanks largely to the sales of Georginio Wijnaldum. He has signed well with forward Dwight Gayle, midfielder Matt Richie and defender Grant Hanley all proven performers at Championship level. The demanding Toon Army will expect nothing less than a dominant season and there is certainly pressure on Benitez to get it right from the very start of the season.