Newcastle needed or need 2 or 3 proper players this summer. They haven't done that it's been too safe/dull in the main. The foundations are in I suppose but FFP has most definitely done it's job I feel.
I agree that we seem to have played it safe... But then is it really safe to splurge £80m on two high potential, but largely unproven fullbacks? Can't really lay it all on ffp when spending sums like that on players like that, though I see where you are pointing with the amount of strengthening the squad needed. Our business may still prove to be good, long term decisions, but I must admit I'm still frustrated that we pulled away from making a move for Diaby and then spent similar money on Barnes. That's the move that looks like playing it safe and predictably looks a poor decision at this early stage.
I'd rather they bought Diaby over Barnes because then you have Gordon and diaby in the 11. I'm not saying Barnes isn't a good signing but we already had Gordon for the left . I guess it all needs doing over time mate and we just didn't have the scope due to FFP. I surmised a month ago this would be a season Newcastle went backwards before going fwds again though, so we've got to just accept the journey is long and try to enjoy it.
According to the stats yesterday we had many chances and didn’t take them. This against the bigger teams seems to be a problem and suggests a winning mentality in the players mindset just isn’t there and we buckle under pressure. From what I am reading it sounds like we should never have taken off Gordon and Tonali. With the replacements not doing their job or not able to because of quality. And Miggy. He is the weakest link.
From the red onwards I feel... was it the players or the instruction from the bench to try and be cute ?
Most definitely. Hopefully he’ll learn from that and subs in future will be more productive and not just because kids a certain minute
