Newcastle United have been one of the success stories of the season so far with the team riding high. Ahead of this month's clash against Manchester United, Betview talks to Magpies captain Fabriccio Coloccini

Fabriccio Coloccini has been through just about everything with Newcastle United so far from managerial sackings, star player departures and the misery of relegation to the joy of promotion and an incredible renaissance this season. But he hopes 2012 will be even more memorable.

Newcastle start the New Year with the biggest possible test of their ambitions; a home match against Manchester United. It's a fixture that brings back heady memories of the glory days at St James' Park when Kevin Keegan's entertainers were the talk of the country in 1996 and famously beat United 5–0, culminating in an exquisite chip from Belgian defender Philippe Albert that summed up an era on Tyneside.

Alan Pardew's side have not yet reached those dizzy heights but their outstanding start to the season, which has shocked even the most informed football experts, means they look forward to the return of United with relish.

The sides have already drawn 1–1 at Old Trafford earlier in the season and captain Coloccini won't be running scared at the prospect of a return fixture. 'It's been an amazing start to the season and we have to continue,' he says. 'Our challenge right at the start of the season was to qualify to play in European competition and that's still the case – so these are the games we look forward to. It's a huge challenge for us right now and a big year ahead. But Newcastle are not afraid and we will go out to win every game we play.'

Newcastle's progress has been so dramatic that despite being relegation favourites ahead of the new campaign they are now being tipped to qualify for Europe. Not bad for a team that lost star players such as Andy Carroll, Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan over the course of the last year and has been through countless managers in the previous campaigns.

'It's been amazing,' says Coloccini. 'The team is working better than we thought. Of course injuries are being avoided and that is very important, it's the very opposite of last year. But I would say above all there is a winning mentality and a belief that we can do things better. That for me is the real key to our success.

'The manager is excellent too,' adds Coloccini. 'He gives very clear technical instructions and explains everything in training very well. Also he is very close to the players. He's the type of coach I always like to play for.

'But we don't ever get carried away. We want to finish as high as we can in the Barclays Premier League but so far we haven't looked at the table and started calculating points – and we are going to continue that way.'

It's a far cry from a couple of seasons ago when Coloccini first arrived from Spanish side Deportivo La Coruna and found English football difficult to come to terms with in those early days.

'It was tough,' he admits. 'Relegation from the Barclays Premier League was one of the biggest blows in my life. 'Losing the last game with tears streaming down my face but still hearing the fans cheering will never be wiped from my memory. But now we are returning to where we were and it's a great feeling. The feeling at the club is very positive and we hope that can continue.'

For Manchester United the match is another stepping stone on the way to what they hope will be another title–winning season.

Memories of that frustrating draw at home to Newcastle, clinched by a very dubious penalty decision in the visitors' favour, should spur them on; and for defender Chris Smalling he is just hoping 2012 is as good as 2011 for a team in some jeopardy of being eclipsed by their city's other Barclays Premier League team.

'If I look back over the last 12 months I can hardly believe it,' he says. 'It has just been one thing after another. The UEFA Champions League was one thing – and we won the league as well. It has been one great year. Hopefully we can kick on with that success in 2012 as well.

'Without a shadow of a doubt it has been the best year of my career so I just want it to carry on. Every year this team is challenging for trophies and I don't think this season will be any different. Come the end of the season I think we will definitely have some happy faces.'

That attitude sums up the kind of confidence that comes from playing at a club that has enjoyed two decades of success and continuity. It's been very different over on Tyneside, where Newcastle's perennial under–achievers have been dogged by controversy and frustration.

Could 2012 be the year when it all changes for the Magpies?