Just watched the interview with Hughton about Gutierrez joining us, he finished it with "anyone else coming in will be a player we know". Does that rule out any foreign imports then? Or just players we've not looked at previously?
Sadly yes the fb keyboard warriors will be out in force, I personally think CH has done ok there, we needed cover and he's got a loan of a decent player.
As I said earlier, I think this fella is good and I really hope that part of the reason is that CH can see him linking well with Olsson, which is turn will give the centre midfielders and the forwards more space and time -i.e. no need for a CAM. Everyone is crying out for a CAM, i don't think it's needed as much as people are saying and more importantly, how the feck would a CAM fit into the system.
Depends which system you're referring to. In 4-4-2 any midfield signing would need to be very well rounded, but I'd prefer 4-3-3 in which there's a role for a CAM, someone to compete with Howson, ideally adding more creativity. If JG has more awareness to bring other players into the attack, then that can only be good.
Excellent - I now have to withdraw the statement I made earlier. Good bit of business and leaves the transfer kitty intact.
The more fluid system we played away at Stoke, and I think home to Chelsea too. A central midfield trio of a DM (Johnson/Tettey), Fer, and then a slightly more attacking midfielder (currently Howson). 2 wingers and a striker make the top 3. It's pretty much a 4-2-3-1, but when we played it before Tettey, Fer and Howson were constantly interchanging, when one pushed forwards another would cover. It doesn't work with Hoolahan or Elmander as they can't drop into a deeper midfield role like Howson can. So my CAM signing would have to be a fairly well rounded midfielder, but just someone more comfortable in advanced positions, and with a creative instinct. Shaun Maloney? Not the youngest, Wigan don't need to sell and he's been injured nearly all season with no return date set. Otherwise I can see the logic in a player like him, yes.
Out for medium term with a hip injury. Has only managed a handful of matches this season. Otherwise I would have agreed (he was on incredible form by the looks of that handful!)
Agree completely, DH, and signing JG on loan leaves room for just this sort of player. More important than another CB, IMO.
As Bath said elsewhere, he can't play as he wasn't eligible for the first fixture. He didn't make the squad for Newcastle's FA cup defeat to Cardiff, so is presumably available should we (somehow...) beat Fulham.
Looked on the Newcastle Website and saw he was not in the Newcastle United squad that lost to Cardiff in the 3rd round of the F.A. Cup.
