Yes, the Coca Cola Championship is unknown territory for ourselves ... and rumours of Joe Kinnear's return as manager has got Toon fans running for cover.
But the bookies are rarely wrong, and every one of them predict a bright future for the club.
West Brom are slight favourites to win the championship, with Newcastle a close second.
We asked one bookie in the Newcastle city centre why they are sticking with the club to win promotion.
John Watson: "The Coca Cola Championship is the hardest of the four leagues to predict, because any of about 20 clubs are capable of getting in the play-offs. Then it's down to luck.
"Newcastle have to be in with a chance because they are the biggest club in that particular league, and if the likes of Preston or Ipswich are seen as promotion candidates, how can anyone rule out Newcastle?
"The sooner Mike Ashley goes, the better for the club, and I'm sure it will be in new hands sooner rather than later."
West Brom 6
Newcastle 13/2
Middlesbrough 7
Ipswich 10
Sheff Utd 12