Llambias gives assurances on signings.

If the game yesterday showed us anything, it was that we have not gelled yet, which is understandable given the raft of new signings and less than ideal pre-season, and the fact that we still need a couple of signings on top of that so are playing players who only have a bit part role in the team.

The gelling of the team will take time, although having seen the highlights I am happy that I've seen enough to suggest that once the new lads bed in we could have a pretty good team in truth. The second part however - transfers - is kind of time sensitive as there is only 17 days left of the transfer window.

The signs coming out of Newcastle are that we aren't finished in the transfer market. Good job really. We've needed a striker to work alongside Demba Ba for quite some time and now we need a left-back to replace Jose Enrique after he toddled off to Anfield.

Thankfully it's those two positions that have been continuously earmarked for improvement by Alan Pardew as the summer strengthening reaches it's climax for the Premier League. In fact we even have a pretty solid link with an actual name for the left-back spot should Erik Pieters make the switch to Tyneside next week.

It's above Alan Pardew where I have my doubts though, and it's not just me who feels that way. Maybe it's brought about by the fact that we don't actually hear much from anyone above Alan Pardew? Well that changed yesterday when Managing Director, Derek Llambias, had his say on transfers in the matchday programme. Here is what he had to say:

“We are delighted with the business that we have conducted in the transfer market this summer, and we added further quality to our squad this week with the signing of Gabriel Obertan from Manchester United,”

“Gabriel is an exciting player and along with the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and Mehdi Abeid, we have every right to be pleased with our transfer activity so far.”

“But we are fully aware of the need to add further players to our squad and we will be working hard to try and bring the right kind of players in before the transfer window shuts in 18 days.”

“They are top-quality players who will hopefully make a big impression here, and added to the quality that we already have at the club, we are all very excited about the coming months."

“But we are fully aware of the need to add further players to our squad and we will be working hard to try and bring the right kind of players in before the transfer window shuts in 18 days.”

So from the man who runs the club on a day to day basis we have a recognition that we need new players still, and that the club will be working hard to get them. Make of it what you will, but to my memory it's the first time that the man I love to hate has actually commented on something that doesn't involve licking Mike Ashley's ringpiece.

With a left-back and a striker I'd feel reasonably happy with this squad. As I said earlier, I've seen enough to believe that our new signings will improve and I'm willing, more willing than others it seems, to give them enough time to do so before writing them off after just one game against a perennial top four side.

Llambias has opened his trap now. He has become kind of accountable. Hopefully this will ensure that he carries through his promise!