Pardew: "We're going to bring in four or five players."

This summer is going to be a watershed moment for Newcastle United.

Right now we have the basis of a decent squad, and we have the cash to strengthen that team with the aim of consolidating ourselves as a Premier League outfit in the future. As MarkToon said in an earlier article, this squad, with a few additions and having retained it's more important players such as Jose Enrique and Joey Barton, could be going places. I genuinely agree with assessment.

Which is why I hope what Alan Pardew has been saying to the local rags today is true. Speaking to The Chronicle, Pardew had this to say on our summer transfer activity:

"Our process has started already for next season and we want to get them here as quick as we can because were going to bring in four or five players and we need to bed them in as quickly as possible.This summer is a big summer for us."

"Everybody is going to looking at who we bring in and what types of player. Id like to think my record in the transfer market is pretty good and that we can get the right type of players for what is a fantastic club."

That's right Alan, it is a fantastic club that deserves to be heading in the right direction. The fans deserve it for sticking by their team, and the players deserve for playing out of their skins for the past 18 months or so and helping to avoid an implosion into oblivion.

That can only be done by spending money, and although Pardew insists that he hasn't been given a budget by Ashley, he is pretty confident that he will get as much backing as he needs in the transfer market. Pardew continued:

"Mike Ashley hasn't told me how much I've got to spend, he made it clear when Andy Carroll went that that money will be reinvested in the squad and I have no doubt that it will be. I have no doubt about getting some money; transfers are very, very complicated though."

"We started the process as soon as I arrived and there's some great scouting at this club. Graham Carr, who brought in Cheick Tiote has got some fantastic eyes."

Hopefully Pardew can do as he intends and get the number of players in that he wants, but he also needs to try and keep what we already have at the club which includes contracts for Enrique and Barton.

As I said in an earlier article, Graham Carr is likely to be a key figure for us over the summer as he sets about trying to hunt down more hidden gems. Our very own Mr Benn has stepped through the magic door and has been reported to have been in France and Holland looking at players and will apparently be in Belgium this evening watching the Anderlecht game. I would imagine at least one of our summer signings will come from that kind of area.

As for the 'four or five players' coming into the club, the proof of that particular pudding will only be tasted after the summer window slams shut.

I hope it's nice pudding!