Ginola hopes Cabella and Riviere can lift Newcastle

The new season brings a clean slate for Newcastle but they must make a fast start to wash away negative memories of the last one.

They endured a miserable finish, which was blighted by manager Alan Pardew’s eight-match ban for headbutting Hull City’s David Meyler.

They were out of both cups by January 4 and lost 11 of the last 15 in the Premier League as they went into freefall. Despite that, they still finished in the top 10.

The biggest priority for the close season was replacing Yohan Cabaye, who had been sold in January to Paris St Germain.

Pardew has been busy addressing the shortcomings by signing seven new players.

And former Newcastle favourite David Ginola hopes that the arrival of two more of his countrymen Remy Cabella and Emamnuel Riviere at St James’ Park can spark an upturn in fortunes.

“I hope Newcastle will be more positive,” he says. “They must forget about what happened last season and start a new chapter.

“That is important for everyone at the club and the Geordie fans. It’s too early to talk about what they might do, but like lots of teams, they need to start well.

“You gain confidence from a good start and that creates a better spirit in the dressing-room and on the training ground.

“They have bought a very interesting player in Cabella. I saw him a lot in France for Montpellier where he stood out. He is very skilful and he should be one to watch.

“Riviere was a threat up front for Monaco, where he should have learnt a lot from playing with Radamel Falcao.

“He has the ability to score goals, and along with Cabella, they could form a good pairing. They have the quality, so it’s up to them to produce.”

For the majority of last season, Sunderland appeared destined for the Championship. Thanks to their spectacular run of 13 points from five games in April and May, they survived.

Now it’s time for manager Gus Poyet to steer a steadier ship and avoid flirting with relegation.

The purchase of Jack Rodwell from Manchester City is the big story, although Poyet will be keen to bring in more faces before the end of August.

And he is determined to secure the permanent transfer of Fabio Borini, the man who scored a number of key goals while on loan from Liverpool last year.