Alan Optimistic

Alan Pardew says he is feeling positive about the upcoming campaign - and intends to make judicious signings to improve the squad.

Alan brought in several players during the season so does not anticipate such frantic activity in the summer.

He also feels that the players that have been signed will be much improved next season.

"We have had to go and purchase players that are potentials, and that means they need time to settle in," he explains.

"Until such time as we can get back to the situation where we are signing million pound players - who can get comfortable with the shirt straight away, because they are used to the scenario - we are going to have this period of settling in.

"Now, having said that, there are a few players here now who have got enough experience under their belts to kick off straight away next year.

"Marlon, Bobby, and Hayden in particular, will have gained, and the Reo-Cokers and the McAnuffs will need to earn the right to get that first team slot and play for 46 games.

"I am feeling very positive about the new season; we are hoping to make a couple of signings which will make us stronger, and we will see what happens."

Football League attendance figures were at their highest for 40 years last season, incidentally.

Crowds for the three divisions below the top averaged 9,595, an increase of 7 per cent on last year, and the best figure since 1963-64.

An aggregate gate of 8.8 million means last season's first division was the best attended since its equivalent in 1955-56.

English gates outside the top flight are 50 per cent higher than in Italy and Germany and more than double those of France and Spain.