Two signings already?

Great news - our quick start to the transfer window has continued. On top of the news that we have signed up top goalkeeping prospect Jak Alnwick (sorry, can't remember from whom), the latest is that we've picked up ANOTHER top quality England u-20 International (again, don't know where from):

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...ve-big-year-in-newcastle-first-team-1-5717852

“I look at that younger section, and although we’ve had some players do well on loan – Brad Inman, Fergie, Sammy – they still need to get more experience next year,” said Pardew. “They could go out again.

“I think the one who is really knocking on the door is Adam Campbell, and I would like to think he will be in and around the first team next year.

“He is only a tiny, little guy but a bundle of energy and a bundle of quality as well.

“I’ve been very careful to look after him this year, but if we can progress him then next season is a big year for him.”


Should be easy to grab one other striker, presumably a 4th choice effort. If we can pull out all the stops and sign England u-20's International CB, a lad called Remie Streete, we'll be banging on the Champs League door next year. Here's hoping.

 

With Shola only having a year left we may pull that one out of the bag too as he will be a great addition.

 

Yay, this is fantastic news!

And if Shola can get some bionic legs it will be like a new signing.

Oh, and if somebody can insert a SatNav system into that huge head of Obertron, so he knows where he's running, then he'd be like a new signing too.

Oh, and if we could insert a special laser receiver into Cisse so it gives him a small shock each time he strays offside, then he'd be like a new signing too.

At this rate, we'll have a whole new squad.

 

Great to see the young lads in the mix. Shame that Ferguson is not viewed as ready but I suppose he is still only 21. Sammy - I have my doubts.

Hopefully Streete, Campbell, Alnwick and Bigi can all form part of the squad for next year. Definitely the way to go rather than looking to the cheque book all the time. Not the glamourous approach but certainly the right one for me.

 

Agree about Fergie ( always thought he adds a bit of pace and at least likes to go forward) and Sammy (flashes of brilliance but mainly frustrating).

If the young lads continue to develop well, then we should use them.

 

Only one way to find out and that is to throw them in. Look at Villa. They have struggled this season but there are signs of something to build from with all those young lads. A great mix of players signed at a young age and local lads. All coming through together. When the going got tough that unity you get from coming through together really went a long way to seeing them through. Excitings time for them if they can keep the squad together.

Still a horrible club mind

 

I understand optimism and we all hope they do well, but what happened THIS season? Shouldn't the young lads have done just a bit better than they did? I'm more worried that whatever the hell happens in training seems to stay in training!

 

Perhaps if we had their manager... <waitsforPouchytoexplodesmiley>

 

Perhaps if we had their manager... <waitsforPouchytoexplodesmiley>

 

Are they deffo over the line?

 

Damn! Forgot to tell Pards there was a line. Back to square one.

 

Our problem is once they cross the line, they tend to get hurt, fall down and are carried back over the line on a stretcher.

 

There aren't a lot of under 21 players getting much in the way of first tema Prem experience. There are a few of course, but I don't have any trouble with the idea that your average good prospect will be a loan/fringe player until 22. On this basis, Fergie and Bigi are on course. Sammy will have one more season to show he's uop to Prem quality or whether we should sell him to a Championship club

 

Now now Obi I don't take the bait, I only do the fishing

Llambert does look a good manager though. Not as great as Pards yet but he might get there one day.

 

I see PE Aubameyang is off to Leverkusen from the looks of it. Wonder how many players we've got on our shortlist before we give up this time? 2? 3? I wouldn't be surprised if our shortlist priority order was "1. PEA. 2. Remy. 3. Carroll. 4. Ameobi."

Don't worry, though folks - we're only missing out on players temporarily whilst the manager's on holiday.....or some other such bullsh!t. Christ, like it wasn't enough having THAT season - I've not got to feel like sh!t every damn day watching everyone else bring in new players whilst I look forward to Bigirimana being like "a new player".

 

You all seem to be forgetting Vukic. He was out most of last season so he'll be like a new signing coming back.

Simpson will do a U-turn and sign the contract that was on the table as well.

So there's another 2, if we can keep them all fit we'll be flying.

I think I might treat myself and not buy a season ticket.

 

I just wish that the above comments were truly a joke and we could all fall about laughing at them safe in the knowledge that we will strengthen the squad depth with solod, premiere league quality, experienced footballers who will help us to not repeat the debacle of last season.

I really want to read these posts and laugh............... But.......for some reason, why do l suspect they may come back to haunt us.

 

This. I really, really think that we're in for a really crap summer's activity. I think there's rationale, although flawed, that says "team A got us to 5th with out Europe. team A + 1 'purple' = team B. team B nearly got relegated with Europe. team B + 4 'purples' (from Jan) without Europe = team C (a top 6 team)."

We seem to be managed at all levels in a systematic, balance-sheet kind of way. But, just like our "second phase" corners, life ain't like that, let alone football. So I see it being quite the debacle and a start not dissimilar to QPR/Hughes would just not surprise me. There seems to be no urgency about finding and bringing in new players, which is really worrying. Liverpool already have 2 and will add a 3rd. Similar advances have been seen at West Ham, Fulham and I daresay Stoke will crack on with the new man on board. But we seem to be peddling more PR about the youngsters than fumbling around for our cheque book. First Alnwick, then Campbell and now Bigirimana. I just don't hear the same crap from other teams, they just seem to get on with it.

More reason for distress - we've traditionally been quite quick in the transfer window. We seem to get on with it. This time last year we already knew of 2 or 3 new players - granted, they were all crap, but Anita was quite heavily rumoured quite early on. We don't wait til the last minute, like we didn't in January. All these things point to a very depressing Summer, with a soundtrack from Pardew of "we're working on two or three" (and variations thereof) accompanying the inactivity.

 

My thoughts exactly, let's just hope we are wrong about this.

 

Realistically we won't spend a fortune. If there are genuine options in the youth ranks such as Alnwick, Campbell, Streete, Bigi etc then I think they should be our first port of call. Lets not forget we did do some significant strengthening in January too. We of course do need to fatten up certain areas, change some personnel and cover any departures. The way I see it is as follows:

Defence - A first choice left back is required. We have plenty on the right. We could do with moving Willo on and getting a younger option in there. Maybe young Streete can take that 4th choice centre back position. If Colo leaves then its a different ball game because you'll need a first choice centre back who can organise. Essentially though if Colo stayed, I wouldn't be against promoting Streete and signing only a left back. We'd have Colo, Saylor, Mbiwa, Streete, Haidara, Santon, Debuchy, New left back, Raylor.

Midfield - We could maybe do with one central midfielder but with Perch, Tiote, Anita, Cabaye, Sissoko, Bigi all vying for three slots, there is not a lot of need. Maybe if Gosling moves on we could go and get a McCarthy type player to fill that gap. Realistically though where do you fit another one in?

Attacking midfield - Some change over is required here. Jonas is fine as a back up winger and a good option to have around for certain situations. However with the money he'll be on you may be better shifting him out. Obertan needs to go. You have HBA, Gouffran, Marveaux who are decent options. The problem is HBA and Marveaux are very very injury prone. If we could go and get an Ince, McManaman or Forrest. two if possible but keeping it realistic probably one. Young, British, talented with a history of staying fit! Then having the likes of Fergie, Sammi, Vuckic out on loan with an option to recall can give us some extra cover for desperate times or when HBA and Marveaux pick up inevitable injuries.

Forwards - This is the big one and one of the main reasons we've struggled all season. We need two strikers and need to release Shola. If we went and got ourselves a Carroll/Bony/Austin type, and then a pacy or deep lying Long/Rhodes/PEA type we'd be well set. Campbell can fill the 4th choice role.

In my mind its as much about squad turnover rather than adding to it. We need a left back - Danny Rose would be ideal! Retain Colo and I think we are fine at centre back. If Streete isn't ready then ship out on loan. Replace Willo with a younger option - british like Dunk or Maguire would be great but equally it doesn't have to be. Strengthen our wide areas, seriously strengthen our strike options.

If we got a left back, a wide midfielder, 2 strikers I'd be quite happy. 4 players who can have a significant chunk paid for by releasing the likes Gosling, Obertan, Jonas, Simpson, Willo. Outside of the front line and wide areas, I don't think our squad is all that shabby to be honest.