An exclusive interview for The Northern Echo with three of the Toon's newest recruits,
Joe Hart, Lee Wallace and Nemanja Matic.
Northern Echo: Welcome to the north east lads. Let us be the first to say that we are very much looking forward to seeing you next season. That brings me to my first question, which is quite an obvious one - do Newcastle have what it takes to stay up?
Joe Hart: Well, it will always be a struggle in the first year, and the aim is to avoid relegation, but I think Newcastle stand a very good chance. We've got a great squad here now, and a food manager to go with.
Lee Wallace: I agree with Joe, I think Newcastle have got all the tools to be able to stay up, maybe even sneak into the top half if we get some luck.
NE: Lee, you've come down from Hearts, is it a big adjustment from Edinburgh to Newcastle?
LW: No, not really. Quite a few people in Scotland support Newcastle as well as an SPL team anyway, so in a way, I'm playing for a team most people support up there already anyway. The only major difference is the accent.
NE: Joe, you've come to a team with an established number one goalkeeper. It seems a strange move for a young-talented goalkeeper who is looking for regular action? Are you happy to be sitting on the bench for another year?
JH: I don't think any footballer should be "happy" as such, to sit on the bench. In any case, I see the goalkeeping job as an open competition here. I understand that it is Steve's to lose, and if I have to sit the whole year on the bench, so be it, but I will have to re-evaluate next season and try to push harder for a first team spot. That said, Steve has waited a long time for his chance, and he deserves to be where he is now. But we're both professionals, and we both want to play. Its sport, thats the way it should be. We will push each other to perform better.
NE: Nemanja, you find yourself in a similar situation to Joe. You didn't play any games for Chelsea at all last season, was that disappointing? How disappointed would you be to find yourself on the bench for Newcastle this season?
Nemanja Matic: It was disappointing, but Chelsea had such quality in their side, that they felt my services were not required, which is their decision. I would be disappointed to find myself on the bench here of course, but I will work hard to make sure I can get onto the team sheet each and every week.
NE: What attracted you to the club?
NM: Of course, the chance to play regularly, but also the chance to work with Chris Beech. I was there when Chelsea lost in the Carling Cup final. I was very disappointed, but at the same time, I could see that the manager had a plan, a vision, for this club. When he came calling, I had no hesitation in joining.
JH: Yeah, definitely the opportunity to play, the great fans here, the history. We want to help the club to win things. The fans got a taste for it last season, so did some of the players, obviously they liked it, we want to taste that too.
LW: Its a chance to test yourself at a higher level for me. No disrespect for the SPL, but the Premiership is a big step up. Lads have come down here before and haven't had success. I'm hoping I won't be another one of those players.
NH: Thanks lads, all the best for the upcoming season.
You can all see Lee, Joe and Nemanja in action when they kick off Newcastle's Premiership campaign against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
