Ins: Aleksandr Kokko (RoPS), Andrew Nabbout, Daniel Alessi (Western Sydney Wanderers), Wayne Brown (SJK - Finland), Devante Clut (Brisbane Roar), Jack Duncan (Randers FC), Andrew Hoole (Sydney FC), Ivan Vujica (Dinamo Zagreb U19)
Outs: Mark Birighitti (Swansea City), Enver Alivodic (released), Josh Barresi (released), Ryan Kitto (injury replacement), Leonardo (released), Brandon Lundy (released), Cameron Watson (released)
Last season:ย
Newcastle finished in 8th place last season after an up and down campaign under head coach Scott Miller.
The Jets only managed to score 28 goals all season - an A-League worst attacking output - despite winning five more games then the bottom-placed Mariners.
Key player: Aleksandr Kokko
The Finnish striker will need to shoulder a lot of the scoring load this season, after Newcastle's two leading scorers (Milos Trifunovic and David Carney) from last season left the club.
Kokko definitely has the potential to make an impact on the scoresheet each game however, as the 29-year-old wasย nothing short of clinical at RoPS in Finland's Veikkausliiga.
Kokko scored in his final three games for RoPS in Finland, and was given a hero's reception in his final ever contest.
It will be the first time that the Finland U21 international has played outside of Finland, but if Kokko can bring some of the same form he's seen over the years, he'll be a welcome addition to the Jets.
Why they'll win:
Despite all of the off-field antics surrounding Newcastle's tour of China, the Jets actually won all three games.
Newcastle defeated Kitchee SC, Liaoning Whowin FC and Eastern SC on their way to a perfect record in China, showcasing the side's ability to fight through off-field troubles and perform on the pitch.
If the Jets can find a new coach who can come straight in and make an impact, there's no reason why this talented young squad couldn't make a serious tilt at a finals position.
Why they won't:ย
For a club to still be without a coach at this time of the pre-season is quite a worrying sign, and when you're a team that didn't play finals the previous season, it's close to a disaster.
Newcastle sensationally sacked Head Coach Scott Miller following their recent trip to China, and then proceeded to let go of Assistant Coach Luciano Trani after just four months in the role.
The Jets need to find someone fast if they're to have any chance of pushing for a finals position this season, and even then, a coach with just three weeks to stamp his mark on a side before their opening game of the season is a very tough ask.
Starting XI:ย (All starting XI's are default 4-4-2)
Goalkeeper: Ben Kennedy
Defenders: Jason Hoffman, Daniel Mullen, Nigel Boogaard, Nick Cowburn
Midfielders: Andrew Hoole, Mateo Poljak, Ben Kantarovski, Andrew Nabbout
Forwards: Morten Nordstrand, Aleksandr Kokko
Championship oddsย (courtesy of TopSport)
Prediction: 9th
Despite the Jets having the playing potential to cause a stir come finals time, too much off-field drama over the past month will likely see Newcastle stuck inside the bottom four for most of the season.
Less than a month out from the start of the season and the Jets still don't have a full-time Head Coach or Assistant Coach, and there's no doubt it'll take the new man well over just one month to get everyone at the club working strongly together.
