I was going to start this post by answering my own question. Does Newcastle United look like a 14th place team after going undefeated in August and picking up seven points? Not right now, no. But could they get stuck in a relegation battle if they pick up injuries? Of course.

Newcastle supporters are on edge, mainly because the club fell one signing short of its goal during the summer transfer window.

Newcastle wanted to purchase two strikers over the summer. They could only sign one. The string of successful signings in June was not continued in July or August, and the team ran out of time to find a new star forward. We can speculate that the front office failed to do due diligence with each bid. We can also speculate that the team's tour of the USA, combined with vocal discontent from departing midfielders Kevin Nolan and Joey barton caused too much disruption to what should have been a very positive summer of development and refinement.

The failure to sign a star striker has delt a blow to expectations for the club from both fans and the press. I believe two major UK media outlets have Newcastle finishing in 14th place, a poorer result than last season.

This has been a very busy year for me. I haven't blogged as much as I'd like. But I could have done a weekly summary about Newcastle United's activities during the summer, and it would have been a lot of filler.

So what better way to resume blogging about Newcastle United ...than with a lot of new filler!

Here are the key articles from the last three weeks that demonstrate just how this club and its supporters go through dramatic ups and downs at any point in the season:

Black & White & Read All Over: "No new arrivals on deadline day - how depressingly predictable."

Give Me Football: "Overall, the Magpies have strengthened with the addition of seven new signings, but the lack of a striker addition means it gives opportunity for one of Pardew's current crop to step up to the plate..."

People UK: "Newcastle boss Alan Pardew admits the bitter relationship between the club’s owner Mike Ashley and Toon Army causes him problems."

Sunday Sun: Alan Pardew goes to Swizerland to take another look at long term striker target, Eren Derdiyok, who has been on Newcastle's radar for three years.