Premiership Preview: Newcastle United



Can the signings this summer be as successful? Photograph: Bulbous



Last season went pretty smoothly in Newcastle terms. First season back in the Premiership and they avoided relegation with relative ease. In charge they have Mike “Fat Controller” Ashley puppeteering Alan Pardew (who could easily be the bloke who manages the U15’s at your local club). Since Pardew arrived, their young star striker has been sold for a whopping £35 million and their captain Kevin Nolan for around £4 million so around £40 million has been brought in, spend so far has been around the £8 million mark so... £30 million + to spend? Unlikely, Ashley has probably pocketed that for a rainy day.

The Newcastle squad is reasonably sized but there is a distinct lack of quality in some key areas.

Goalkeepers

Here we have a good setup Krul and Forster are both very good prospects with Harper the old hand. For me both the younger lads need game time otherwise Newcastle may risk losing one or both, so for me the Number 1 needs to be defined and Forster will most probably be loaned out for some much needed experience.

Defenders

There’s many a man who can play at right back in this squad but are any actually Premiership quality? Personally I would listen to offers for Simpson, Perch and Ryan Taylor retaining one and using that money to purchase a new first choice fullback. Left back...Jose Enrique just go will you! The common theme for players is let the media do the talking about the move while they sit there quietly hoping they won’t upset the fans (Fabregas I’m looking at you here, grow some will you!) So for me they need to sell him and buy one, possibly two left backs. Wayne Bridge has been spoken about but I think Newcastle can do better than a man more obsessed with avoiding John Terry than playing football. Centrally they possess three good centre backs so I would like to see one more signed to add a good level of cover.

Midfield

There’s many a player here to run around chasing a ball, but who can pass it, who can create goals? Cabaye looks a good player and with Tiote and Barton they have some real passion and drive in the middle. I would like to see one more player in here to help link midfield and attack. On the wings Marveaux has signed and looks to be decent (a poor man’s Malouda if I’m being honest), other than that there is Jonas the head down and run merchant, and Routledge. Neither are indispensable so I would more than happily sell if the right offer came along (Are you reading Liverpool FC? Routledge is English...you can have him for £10 million!), and bring back N’Zogbia as he would add genuine class to the flanks.

Strikers

The number 9 Shirt is up for grabs...Ameobi do you want it? The man is stealing a living, how he’s lasted so long is beyond me! Demba Ba, if kept fit will score goals and with him and Hatem Ben Arfa in tandem Newcastle have a partnership that could be potent. But a new Number 9 needs to be bought, Shearer is never going to be replaced but give the Toon Army someone they can be proud of to wear that shirt, they need passion, skill and ultimately goals! Is there anyone out there who fits that bill, well Tevez does but that’s one for the dreamers.

Josh