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Emile Heskey has been the biggest capture of the summer so far, and the most controversial, whilst arguably Denny Landzaat (a Holland Internatinal) the best signing in terms of footballing skill.
Jewell has also signed up promising youths in Thomaz Cywka and Luis Valencia whilst also bolstering the defence with six foot plus Crystal Palace pair Emmerson Boyce and Fitz Hall. The goalkeeping department has been further strenghtened with the loan signing of Chris Kirkland, who made his England bow in the Greece friendly earlier this week.
The big question is, what team will jewell go for? New signings are bound to
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Players expected to line up alongside new signings Hall and Boyce at the back will be Leighton Baines and skipper Arjan DeZeeuw with Kirkland expected to make his debut. Midfield will be completely different with Denny Landzaat and Paul Scharner possibly making up the centre two, Lee McCulloch and the controversial Pascal Chimbonda to start on the left and right flanks.
Jewell hopes that goals will be on the menu at St James Park, but is expects them to be more spread out this year and not be reliant on Heskey and Camara, who are expected to start up front, to produce the goods.
"Although we finished 10th (last season), our scoring ratio just wasn't good enough and we ended up with a minus goals difference despite never really getting hammered by anyone"
"We defend as a team so we attack as a team too, and that's one area we really need to improve on."
Opening games don't come much harder than away to Newcastle. Backed by 50,000 plus hopeful Geordies, our new players will have to gel quickly with the remaining heroes from last seasons triumph if we are to come away with anything on Saturday.
Ones to Watch
Oponents Newcastle have lost their god in Alan Shearer, and have been left with Spanish flop Albert Luque and Shola Ameobi as their two main strikers. The biggest threat will come from midfield. The always steady Scott Parker and flashy Emre have been re-joined by dangerman James Milner, who will be looking to make an impact on his return to Newcaslte, whilst Chelsea 'reject' Damien Duff is always a handful.
Pundits Predictions
The experts have been less in unison this time round as to where Wigan will finish. Whereas last season the majority had us down as certs for relegation, this year the predictions have varied from a lofty 8th place, to a frankly ridiculous 20th.
My Prediction
Make no joke, this will be a tough fixture. Newcastles impressive midfield will be hard to get past, and our new signings must gel quickly. I don't think we will lose the game as Newcastle are still shakey at the back, and lack any oomph up front.
Newcastle 1 Latics 1 (debut goal for Heskey)
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