While this is closely related to the 'who should we sign next season' I think it's worth a separate thread.
'Who should we Sign' involves throwing around a lot of names, whereas I think it would be interesting to take a step back and work out what areas of the squad people think need big name signings, backup signings or are OK as they are.
Here's my first stab, but I'm more interested in what you guys think based on the format I'm proposing:
Goal for Season: Comfortably avoid relegation.
GK: No signings required.
While none of our keepers are perfect, we have enough quality there in Krul/Darlow/Elliot/Sels that at least one of them needs to take the chance to step up and be our no. 1 Prem keeper. Woodman is also up-and-coming
LB: Loan signing
I think Dummet has done a decent job this season, but a young and hungry loan player could put a bit of pressure on him to perform as well as provide much needed cover.
CB: Key signing.
Maybe a controversial opinion, but I've seen Newcastle be so weak here over the years that the need for a really solid partnership is burned into my psyche. Watching Bramble and Boumsong will do that to a man. Mbemba, Clarke and Lascelles have *just* about cut it in the Championship, but I think without another good signing in this position we will struggle.
RB: No signings required.
Again, not a perfectly covered position, but between Anita and Yedlin I think we've got enough to limp through and save money for other areas, particularly if we strengthen the CB pairing.
LM: Backup signing & a loan. At least.
We've limped through with Atsu (who'd need to be signed) and Gouffran. I'd probably be happy enough with Atsu + a loan.
DM: Key signing.
Hayden has impressed here, and I think he deserves a chance. Colback not so much (although better than he has at CM). However, against Premiership firepower I think we need a major signing here to bolster our defence.
CM: Backup signing, at least in the summer.
Give Shelvey a chance to show he's really got premiership quality, but have some back up in case of injury and suspension. Don't want to see Colback in this role in the premiership.
RM: Loan signing.
Ritchie has been excellent but we need some backup for him.
AM: Loan Signing.
Chance for an exciting young player to impress their owners and put some pressure on the likes of Perez/Diame (assuming we keep them - I hope we shift Diame at least. He's like a **** Sissoko, which is saying something).
CF: Key signing + loan signing.
Don't think there's much controversy here. Looking at our squad I can't see where goals are going to come from. We need a focal point, and a backup option in the form of a young loan striker.
Looking at this in total:
3 key signings (CB, DM & CF). Minimum £15M-£20M each in today's market. Say £40M total.
2 backup signing (LM & CM) ~ £7M each. £14M total.
5 Loans: (LB, LM, RM, AM, CF). Say ~£6M total for loan fees.
That gives a total of £60M investment to comfortably avoid relegation this season. If we manage to sell on a few players and raise ~£10M then we're expecting Ashley to pump in £20M to protect his investment (on top of the £30M profit from last season). Most probably beyond what we can hope for - so expect a hard fought relegation battle.
'Who should we Sign' involves throwing around a lot of names, whereas I think it would be interesting to take a step back and work out what areas of the squad people think need big name signings, backup signings or are OK as they are.
Here's my first stab, but I'm more interested in what you guys think based on the format I'm proposing:
Goal for Season: Comfortably avoid relegation.
GK: No signings required.
While none of our keepers are perfect, we have enough quality there in Krul/Darlow/Elliot/Sels that at least one of them needs to take the chance to step up and be our no. 1 Prem keeper. Woodman is also up-and-coming
LB: Loan signing
I think Dummet has done a decent job this season, but a young and hungry loan player could put a bit of pressure on him to perform as well as provide much needed cover.
CB: Key signing.
Maybe a controversial opinion, but I've seen Newcastle be so weak here over the years that the need for a really solid partnership is burned into my psyche. Watching Bramble and Boumsong will do that to a man. Mbemba, Clarke and Lascelles have *just* about cut it in the Championship, but I think without another good signing in this position we will struggle.
RB: No signings required.
Again, not a perfectly covered position, but between Anita and Yedlin I think we've got enough to limp through and save money for other areas, particularly if we strengthen the CB pairing.
LM: Backup signing & a loan. At least.
We've limped through with Atsu (who'd need to be signed) and Gouffran. I'd probably be happy enough with Atsu + a loan.
DM: Key signing.
Hayden has impressed here, and I think he deserves a chance. Colback not so much (although better than he has at CM). However, against Premiership firepower I think we need a major signing here to bolster our defence.
CM: Backup signing, at least in the summer.
Give Shelvey a chance to show he's really got premiership quality, but have some back up in case of injury and suspension. Don't want to see Colback in this role in the premiership.
RM: Loan signing.
Ritchie has been excellent but we need some backup for him.
AM: Loan Signing.
Chance for an exciting young player to impress their owners and put some pressure on the likes of Perez/Diame (assuming we keep them - I hope we shift Diame at least. He's like a **** Sissoko, which is saying something).
CF: Key signing + loan signing.
Don't think there's much controversy here. Looking at our squad I can't see where goals are going to come from. We need a focal point, and a backup option in the form of a young loan striker.
Looking at this in total:
3 key signings (CB, DM & CF). Minimum £15M-£20M each in today's market. Say £40M total.
2 backup signing (LM & CM) ~ £7M each. £14M total.
5 Loans: (LB, LM, RM, AM, CF). Say ~£6M total for loan fees.
That gives a total of £60M investment to comfortably avoid relegation this season. If we manage to sell on a few players and raise ~£10M then we're expecting Ashley to pump in £20M to protect his investment (on top of the £30M profit from last season). Most probably beyond what we can hope for - so expect a hard fought relegation battle.
Oh wait you're actually serious