This will all absoutely happen to Newcastle this season

It's Part II of our massively huge Premier League Preview Roundtable, and this time we're talking only NUFC.  Make sure to check out part 1 (general Premier League stuff!).

Before we start, a gentle reminder of who is who:

@CHNOSotP - Jim McMeachin, Managing Editor CHN; @sniderjadam - Adam Snider; @CParryETFS - Chris Parry; @writerryan - Ryan Ptomey; @jonhudsonian - Jon Hudson; @RobertLBishop - Robert Bishop, Editor Emeritus; @alanhoffmann - Alan Hoffmann; @AlfieBCC - Alfie Crow; @adultcereal - Rachel, more internet famous than you.

Who should be next on Lee Charnley's target list?

JM:

It's got to be another CB. We're desperate for someone to slide in next to Chancel Mbemba. I'd prefer it be another big, solid body... Joël Matip is the type of player I want even if he isn't the specific guy we end up with.

AS:

I firmly believe we need one, if not two center backs to firm up our back 4. My two choices come from the Dutch league: 1) Jeffrey Bruma (PSV Eindhoven) - Eindhoven has conceded 36 goals on average since he was signed in 2013, and he has 2 years left on his current deal 2) Jöel Veltman (Ajax) - I firmly believe that Oranje is the new Black & White, and this youngster could fit the bill. A product of the Ajax academy has also capped 7 times for the Oranje. He has 3 years left on his deal. At 23, he could be a good long-term product for the Toon.

CP:

Newcastle is lacking a James Milner type of winger, someone who can put a cross in and do it well. The Magpies also need defensive cover, especially in the middle. Mike Williamson and Steven Taylor have shown to be found wanting way too much.

AC:

I don't really have a specific name, but I think another centerback before the end of the window is vital. Charlie Austin and a winger would be cool, but the defense to me is the biggest eye sore.

RLB:

I'm never any good at identifying these guys. We can all agree that we still need defenders, yes? Get me two defenders that know how to mark on a set piece and I'll be happy.

Would you start Aleksandar Mitrovic from day one? If not, how quickly do you make the switch if Cisse stutters?

RP:

This might make me sound like a crazy person, but I'd start both of them. If we do start Cisse instead, I'd give him 3 games to find his feet.

JH:

Absolutely - he seems like the type of player who relishes the occasion, and if he scores early on in the season that could inspire a run of form. Ideally would have someone like Ayoze or Cisse alongside him, or at the very least Siem De Jong right behind in support. Don't start him alone up top if it's just going to be long balls from Williamson.

AH:

I say go for it. Last season, even when he was healthy, I didn't really buy Cisse as a 90 minute player. I think Cisse makes for a good option off the bench, late in games when looking for an equalizer or go ahead goal.

RR:

Absolutely start him right away. Let's see just how mental this kid is. Even though his goal celebration is cringeworthy to the point where I'm a bit embarrassed by it, I can't wait to see him rip a linesman's heart from his chest at the final whistle like he's Kano from "Mortal Kombat."

RLB:

No, but only because I'd like to see Cissé score a couple of August goals so we can sell high on him before the window closes. The real answer is yes. Give him a chance. Papiss seems to thrive when his job is threatened anyway.

Who will be Newcastle's Player of the Year?

CP:

Siem de Jong -- He is the engine the team did not have last year because of injury and will be vital this season.

RP:

Daryl Janmaat really earned my respect last season, and I'd love to see him continue being an outstanding player this season.

AC:

To me this is pretty easy, but I really think it will be Wijnaldum.

RLB:

Thought about going with Jack Colback here, but he's the safe pick and I've been taking those all the way down the page. Give me Ayoze. Dude is going to make himself into a star and we're going to have to endure 10,000 stories this winter about Manchester United wanting him.

Who will be Newcastle's biggest surprise player?

JM:

Vurnon Anita. As the season progresses and McClaren's ideas take firmer grasp of the team Anita is going to continue in ascendance. I wouldn't be surprised to see him completely pulling the strings by the end of the season.

AS:

Moussa Sissoko without a doubt. He could not care about the majority of the games played last season, and it showed. Last year was like he was on his own personal strike against Pardew and Carver's management. This season he has a lot to play for. Moussa has an opportunity to impress a new coaching staff with his athleticism and ability. Playing well for McClaren will also put him in high contention for a coveted spot on France's roster for Euro 2016.

RP:

As in so many answers, I could be completely wrong, but my money is on Remy Cabella. When the rumors around him first started, I watched his highlight reels and was very excited. He looked like a nimble player who could really give some defenders some trouble. Last season, I feel like he was setup for failure, so I'm excited to see what he can do in a system where we actually keep possession instead of hoofing the ball of up the field every time.

JH:

It could be Haidara. The left back spot is his, and I'm looking forward to seeing him develop a partnership with Aarons or Ayoze. He's strong and very physically fit - if he can become a more reliable defender and add more end product to his crosses he could be a very important player for us this season.

AC:

Steven Taylor. I think if the NUFC squad stands pat, and he stays healthy, he'll have a nice season. I thought he played really well in the preseason outside of that one tee-up for Thorgan Hazard.

RR:

Remy Cabella's pomeranian. Seriously though, I'm going with Cabella. He will finally realize that he isn't the Premier League's answer to the figure skating kid in the "Mighty Ducks" movies. He will lose 87% of the needlessly fancy footwork, settle down a bit, and look like the kind of player I wanted him to be last year. Likely just in time to ruin his ACL, get involved in a sex scandal, or get sold in January.

What would need to happen in 2015-16 in order for you to call the season a successful one?

AH:

I think a mid-table finish with a respectable goal differential is going to be necessary for this to be successful. I don't think Newcastle is ready to challenge for the top six spots, but showing that they can stop the bleeding in the back line and get some results might be the first step towards getting to that level. Also: Beat Sunderland. Please?

JH:

Step one. Beat Sunderland. Even just once. Please just fucking beat them for the first time since 2011. Step two. Show some consistency in style of play. Alan Pardew was a reactive manager, and I would like to see a Newcastle side that has more of a clear identity than in past years. Step three. Finish 10th or above. Step four. Don't lose to a lesser side in a Cup. Going out in the 4th round of the FA Cup is fine if you're losing to Arsenal, but let's stop losing to the likes of Brighton and Leicester. If we do at least three of those things, I'll be pleased with how our season has gone.

CP:

Finish in the top 8

RR:

48 points.

Assume that all players are available for selection. What is your ideal Starting XI?

AS:

I think they will play a 4-1-4-1, and this is who I would send out: Krul | Janmaat, Taylor, Mbemba, Anita | Colback | Aarons, Wijnaldum, de Jong, Sissoko | Cisse

CP:

Krul Janmaat Mbemba Coloccini Haidara Wijnaldum De Jong Sissoko Aarons Ayoze Mitrovic

AH:

Krul Janmaat, Colocinni, Mbema, Haidara, Colback, de Jong, Wijnaldum, Tiote, Aarons Perez, Mitrovic

RLB:

I don't know. I'm not sure I have one ideal XI, simply because I'm still not sure about how all of these guys play with each other. Here's a stab: Krul | Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Haïdara | Wijnaldum, Colback, De Jong, Aarons | Mitrovic, Ayoze Sissoko is probably the most obvious omission. I, like many others, get frustrated with his effort, but the narrative right now is that he's motivated. If Mitrovic doesn't come out guns blazing, do you insert Sissoko and have Wij and/or De Jong play right behind Ayoze? Am I putting too much faith in Ayoze? Is Lascelles, who had a bad preseason, a viable replacement for Colo? Where does Cabella fit? Will McClaren show an irrational liking for Gouffran? I don't think we've seen enough to know the answers yet.

Where will Newcastle finish in the table?

JM:

I feel that it would be reasonable to expect a 10th place finish (+/- 1).

JH:

If everything goes right we could hit 8th or 9th, but most likely scenario is somewhere between 12th and 14th. We're a team in transition, and the first few months will show some huge growing pains. My official prediction is 12th.

AC:

I'm going to say 11th.

RR:

After a dismal first few weeks, and a stunning 0-0 draw in the derby in October, we'll coast through 4 decent matches at Christmas to an uneventful spring, finishing triumphantly at the top of the bottom - 11th.

AS:

I believe they will finish somewhere between 8th-10th. If they can close the holes in their Swiss cheese-like defense, I believe they will challenge for Europe but fall just short.