Reasonably optimistic if we dont run out of time!

Lack quality on the flanks and defence all over the shop, you need at least another 4. Plus replacements for any outgoings that may occur. Dribs and drabs of quality will see you in trouble, you need to improve in so many places.

 

I think Aarons can be the answer on one of the wings as long as we keep him fit. Mbemba and Janmaat make half a decent back 4, we need another top-class CB and some realistic competition for Haidara who I think is halfway between starter and cover in terms of quality.

If Janmaat gets the armband this season, the need to keep Colo on the teamsheet is reduced. Hopefully we hold on to Colo til Jan, but we'll be beginning to look bloated in terms of CB options. Dummett and Taylor are fine for cover (one at a time though). Colo becomes extraordinarily expensive cover once he's out of the starting XI and if he's no longer captain.

 

One more good CB (assuming that Mbemba signs) and we should be comfortably out of the bottom 3.

A fair bit of additional investment needed to be in the top 10

 

As a fan of competing team looking at the progression of equally poor squads around us, putting all your faith in young uns like Aarons and players you haven't signed yet is music to my ears TBH.

 

Things are taking shape nicely if Mbemba and Mitrovic sign. We are two or three quality signings from ensuring relegation is no longer a concern. Impressed by the quality we are going after.

 

You're forgetting that a change in coach can get a lot more out of players who have bad spells.
The SAFC fans have alluded to this element in the past too.

 

Seems to me that we are finally doing things right ish for a change..

Really pleased with the backroom staff ... (woodman can join Carver and stone)

Plus the quality of the 2 .possibly 3 signings made so far has been significantly higher than the usual, granted they can flop .. but am mildly optimistic with Nufc at least trying to do things right now. ..whereas 3 months ago I thought we would be in for the usual incompetence , ineptitude and bollox.

still need more of similar quality in mind..The jobs not finished

 

The overall quality of your squad has been on the decline for a long time. If you want to rely on the likes of Obertan and Gouffran suddenly becoming world beaters, bring you width and keeping de Jong fit then more fool you, and you haven't even started one dodgy looking defence. Most sensible folk would see you need a lot more strengthening than the drabs of quality you've added so far. Plenty of time to go yet though of course but while you're just getting started we're two thirds done. You'll be shopping well into the new season while most of our squad is together.

Our rivals aren't scaring me at the moment. All could change yet though I acknowlage.

 

To be fair I don't see Obertan or Gouffran getting near the first team now. Indeed looking at the squad they are surplus to requirements. Young Callum Roberts and Aarons are far better options IMO. Plus Armstrong can play deeper and wide.

I'd imagine we will line up something like:

Krul, Janmaat, Mbemba, New CB, Colo, Tiote, Gini, Sissoko, Cabella, Perez, Mitrovic

You then have the likes of Darlow, Woodman, Dummett, Saylor, Lascelles, Williamson, Haidara, Aarons, SDJ, Colback, Abeid, Anita, Kemen, Marveaux, Roberts, Armstrong, New ST, New AM, Cisse, Riviere, Gouffran, Obertan

That is a decent side and certainly good enough to steer us clear of relegation on paper. Might not be how we line up and certainly Colback would argue that it would be unfair to drop him after a good season, but we know McClaren likes Tiote and will think he can return him to his best. Then you have SDJ who if fit would certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

What becomes clear of course is we need to do some serious offloading! Willo, Saylor, Obertan, Marveaux, Riviere, Gouffran would all need to go for me.

Basically if we add this Mbemba, AN Other CB, and we have Lascelles around as back up. We have revamped this defence. Are they good enough? Same question as every other team.

 

I can see Callum Roberts getting some serious game time this season. One thing with McClaren, he isn't afraid to play kids.
Gouffran and Obertan are only still here because of their wages. We couldn't give either away.

 

Roberts just looks like a proper footballer. Has a bit of the Adam Johnson about him (without the kiddy fiddling - allegedly of course ) That left peg is a peach. Aarons is the exciting one while we can hold onto him. He just looks all over top bracket in terms of ability. The problem is with an Aarons type is they don't stay at a Newcastle very long.

Easy to put faith in youngsters if they have ability. These two, and certainly Aarons, have it in abundance. I fully expect Aarons to tear a lot of sides a new arsehole if McClaren sees fit to unleash him. We saw it last year in a handful of appearances, teams just can't cope with someone that quick, skillful and powerful. The fact he has end product with shooting, passing and crossing makes him a bit dreamy. The problem is and always has been fitness. Time for the Alessandro the Shoemaker to earn his spurs.

 

Aarons when fit is a far better all round player than that nugget that Liverpool have just flogged to Man City.

 

Problem is I can see him playing on the other side of the pitch to that nugget in the same team

 

They want him, they can pay more than they did for Sterling.

 

To be fair we have some good young players at present. If we sign this Mbemba - we'd have a sub 23 bracket of Roberts, Aarons, Lascelles, Kemen, Armstrong, Perez, Mitrovic, Mbemba, Abeid, Haidara, Dummett, Satka, Good, Woodman - that's a nice little band for Schteve to develop.

Its just a few senior players we need now. A rugged centre back and a main striker would be perfect for a starting point. It would be lovely to think the club are going to shock everyone with a big marquee signing but it probably won't happen. Despite my reservations about more french players, if it was a triple 60m package for Umititi, Grenier and Lacazette - it would do I suppose

The Grenier links all went very quiet. He'd be marquee. I suppose like his teammates he is probably looking a bit grander than Newcastle these days.

I noted Gourcuff was allowed to leave them on a free. Only 29 and no club. Then you realise why. He is a total crock, only manages about 18 games a season Arsenal and Liverpool were linked, I was thinking "why would they?".

 

Could do with some English players.