FIVE reasons why January is one of the biggest months in NUFC’s history

In classic Newcastle United style, we are again coming into a crucial period. This month though feels particularly important, with so much on the line for the club both in the short and long term. You get the sense this month will dictate which players do or do not arrive, our relegation chances and also the long-term term futures of both Rafa Benitez and Mike Ashley. So just why is this month so vital?

1. Signings NEED to be made

It has been clear since the summer that we are in desperate need for reinforcements. Benitez wanted quality added last winter and was badly let down by Ashley, who then failed to back the manager in the summer. We need a striker, number 10, left back and goal keeper as priority and whether there is a takeover or not, we need new players. It may be the loan market if the takeover slows down but either way, we need quality additions to secure our status.

2. Swansea at home is HUGE

A decent festive period has saw us climb to 13th but that is still just three points above the relegation zone. We have struggled at home of late and our next league game sees us host bottom side Swansea. It is a fantastic opportunity to move onto 25 points and 3 points closer to the magical 40 point mark. A win would see us move 9 points clear of Swansea, so this really could help us bury one of our relegation rivals and kick-start our awful home form in the process. It’s a huge game for the context of our season and staying up.

3. Takeover finally looming?

Talks are ongoing and any major progression on the potential sale could significantly contribute to our spending this month. If Ashley remains we’ll no doubt see loan deals and signings in the £5-7m bracket at best, however you’d hope funds may be made available (via loans etc) to bring in a top striker if they were in a position to do so.

Rumours last night claimed that a takeover may even be completed on the 6th of January with PCP setting up a new company yesterday, which could be used as a vessel to buy NUFC. It was exciting news however these suggestions have been dismissed – although Staveley is still believed to be ‘very interested’ in buying the club. PCP could take us to the next level and deliver the investment and intent that Ashley never will and this news could change the history of the club.

4. Keeping Rafa happy and in it for the long term?

Signings and the takeover are key to keeping Rafa here for the long term. You get the sense he is staying put to see how the takeover pans out or if it materialises, and he won’t be leading another relegation battle with us next season, either way. He is doing a great job with a limited squad and keeping us up would be a great achievement after such a low net spend as a newly promoted side. Keeping the Spaniard will help us attract players of the calibre needed and his presence has undoubtedly been a draw for PCP.

I suspect there’ll be a big knock on effect from whatever happens from here on in. New owners could lead to new signings and you suspect that’d have a positive impact on our form, Rafa’s happiness and our hopes of survival. No breakthrough on the takeover front could mean bargain basement buys, a highly frustrated Rafa Benitez and a team that goes into the relegation scrap with the bare bones whilst our rivals will no doubt be strengthening. You can just imagine how much that second scenario would infuriate Benitez.

5. FA Cup returns – NUFC finally due a run?

Sandwiched in amongst all this sees the return of the FA Cup; with NUFC hosting Luton Town in the third round this weekend. It is a great chance to get to round 4 and we are long overdue a cup run. Survival is of course the priority this season but our trophy drought is well documented and our run to the quarter-final of the league cup last year suggests Benitez could be the man to give it a go. Any run would avoid further disappointment for fans and offer a platform to build momentum in the league.

A week is a long time in football as we all know, but the next few feel like they could be huge for Newcastle. Let’s hope our patience is rewarded and it’s a month to remember for all the right reasons.

(Fancy writing for us? Send any articles/ideas over to us at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Simon Riddlesden

Lifelong Newcastle United fan and East Stand season ticket holder. Observations from a supporter who has followed NUFC during Champions League participation and through relegation, taking me from Milan to Scunthorpe.

90 thoughts on “FIVE reasons why January is one of the biggest months in NUFC’s history

  1. Thanks Simon and a happy new year to you.
    Yep, massive month ahead no doubt about it. Very concerned no one is in yet, you would of thought that a few would of been lined up and the trigger pulled as soon as the window opened given our precarious position. The fact that didn’t happen suggests that Ashley is here to stay as you would think new owners would want things sorting asap.

    The longer there is no announcement the more I think he’ll take it off the market, there is a part of me that still thinks he’s never wanted to sell. I’m not really buying the delayed announcement due to transfer fees rocketing for us , if it’s happened pretty much all clubs would know I reckon and the City would definitely know .
    Still, I live in hope like everyone else.

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  2. I’m a bit more optimistic than that Kim. But really nobody knows anything about the takeover which is exactly what you’d expect. Reports say Ash is back this week others say next week. Pity he doesn’t have a phone 😆

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  3. Takeover? There won’t be one until after this season has finished and/or they know what division they’re playing in.

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  4. tweet once again don’t shoot the messenger just passing it on,the next owners of toon will be the Saudi royal family,God I hope that’s so true

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  5. Cheers Simon. I do appreciate your threads so forgive me whilst I just quote you here for a minute;

    ‘You get the sense this month will dictate which players do or do not arrive’

    No ****.. ?

    You are right though – the Swansea game is massive and it would be lovely to see some takeover action – but i’m not hopeful – so loans it is. Sub standard ones at that…

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  6. There has only been one actual fact released. That is Amanda Staverly’s company has made an offer for NUFC. Everything else is rumour gossip and lazy journalism.
    There is also one indisputable fact, all Newcastle United’s troubles over the past ten years can be traced back to Mike Ashley. So I wait (and hope I have enough time left) to see him drag his sorry “***” back down to the other end of the A1. We are a long suffering lot but we keep living in hope!

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  7. Icedog:
    tweet once again don’t shoot the messenger just passing it on,the next owners of toon will be the Saudi royal family,God I hope that’s so true

    Yeah I have seen that in various places too Ice, it would explain why it’s been like pulling teeth, Saudi’s drive a harder bargain than fatty does lol

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  8. Ice and Kim, seen that a lot as well, the Crown Prince of Saudi apparently, MBS (can’t remember full names) documentarie on bbc about him soon. Also rumours yesterday that bbc has booked rights for press conference and announcement on 6th Jan

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  9. Simon:
    Ice and Kim, seen that a lot as well, the Crown Prince of Saudi apparently, MBS (can’t remember full names) documentarie on bbc about him soon.Also rumours yesterday that bbc has booked rights for press conference and announcement on 6th Jan

    Yeah mate heard about the bbc documentary, should be interesting, crown prince is a bit of a moderniser by all accounts, locking up the naughty boys over there and relaxing some of their rules like allowing women to drive.

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  10. Yeah Kim, that’s him and yes seems to have been doing some good stuff over there with those changes,

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  11. I think Darlow had his best game against Stoke. He didn’t seem as nervous and made some great reaction saves. It is frustrating because he seems to have the makings of a good player but doesn’t always inspire confidence.

    And… has our defense picked up because of the return of Lascelles or the omission of Lejuene?

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  12. kimtoon: Yeah mate heard about the bbc documentary, should be interesting, crown prince is a bit of a moderniser by all accounts, locking up the naughty boys over there and relaxing some of their rules like allowing women to drive.

    Allowing women to drive?!?!?!!!!

    No bloody thank you – we don’t want his kind in Newcastle!!, can’t be done with that!!.

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  13. so Amanda offered to help out on transfers but the big fat pig said no,what a arsehole hes really making Rafa suffer

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  14. I am watching Arsenal Chelsea. Its a good game. Some nice possession football with most players looking to playbthe ball forward. Wilshere is actually looking good so far.

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  15. icedog:
    talk Rafa is chasing Deeney from Watford

    If Deeney wants to come and play football & be a leader then I’d take him in a heartbeat. But if he wants to keep doing stupid things on the pitch & starting on opponents then he can stay in London.

    I remember a Watford game against WH where they were getting beat 3-0 and he almost single handily lifted Watford and they ended with a draw. He was class – if we can take that Deeney then I’d be happy.

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  16. shamrock:
    Nice goal Wilshere. He is looking sharp now he is fit. Never foes backwards.

    Sham – never doubted his talent me, it’s his fitness or injuries should I say that was always the risk.

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  17. Deeney has been sent off twice this season, but scored 7 PL goals. Sounds like another Mitro – but he is a leader and this squad needs more of that. Him up front and Lascelles at the back is a nice thought. No hiding place for the shirkers.

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  18. Sharpy17: Sham – never doubted his talent me, it’s his fitness or injuries should I say that was always the risk.

    Yeah his contract is due. Any bets he goes crocked again once a new deal is signed?

    That was a very soft penalty.

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  19. ?? god these penalties are doing my nut in!!. What’s wrong with these refs!!. Another ridiculous penalty decision

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  20. shamrock: Yeah his contract is due. Any bets he goes crocked again once a new deal is signed?

    That was a very soft penalty.

    Are you suggesting he is only playing for a new contract … HOW DARE YOU!!.

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  21. I’d take Deeney ahead of Ings I reckon.

    Would love either Slimani or Batshuyi as well though.

    I know – keep dreaming lad ?

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  22. I watched Wilshere in the last game as well as today and he did look good. I am used to seeing him when he is recovering. I still wouldn’t risk the sort of money he is asking with his injury record though.

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  23. On a different note. Did anyone see Jake Livermore go into the crowd against WH after a fan was taunting him and his baby boy who passed away?.

    Absolutely disgraceful dirty horrible shitbag & I hope WH ban them for life!!

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  24. Sharpy17:
    I’d take Deeney ahead of Ings I reckon.

    Would love either Slimani or Batshuyi as well though.

    I know – keep dreaming lad

    On toon coming up before season started DEENEY said the toon is the best club to play for because of the loyal fans and must be a great feeling to play in front of them,I think he is alright,cannot shove him off the ball that’s for sure

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  25. Sharpy17:
    On a different note.Did anyone see Jake Livermore go into the crowd against WH after a fan was taunting him and his baby boy who passed away?.

    Absolutely disgraceful dirty horrible shitbag & I hope WH ban them for life!!

    Yeah, it was the same with them in that pre season tournament just after the loss of Liam and John and their fans were making airplane noises when fans were applauding the lads .
    They make hissing ( holocaust ref ) noises to Spurs fans too the cretins.

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  26. kimtoon: Yeah, it was the same with them in that pre season tournament just after the loss of Liam and John and their fans were makingairplane noises when fans were applauding the lads .
    They make hissing( holocaust ref ) noises to Spurs fans too the cretins.

    They are not human shouldn’t breath the air as us

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  27. Looks like Jabba’s investment in Debenhams has gone South. Shame! Lost 20% of their value overnight…

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  28. Sorry Ice, i know you wanted us to get him. Maybe one day we’ll be able to compete again who knows.

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  29. What do you reckon Kim, using the Newcastle sale money to buy back full ownership of sports direct? Let’s hope so anyway. I can put up with another year of free adversity if it’s a deal to get rid of him

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  30. Simon:
    What do you reckon Kim, using the Newcastle sale money to buy back full ownership of sports direct?Let’s hope so anyway.I can put up with another year of free adversity if it’s a deal to get rid of him

    God knows mate, but his and Amanda/PCP every move is getting scrutinised at the moment.
    Just want it sorted one way or another, it’s disrupting and I can’t see how we can move forward as a club with it hanging over the club. We get no updates and considering Ashleys legal team said it would be taken off the market if not sold by xmas all rather confusing.

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  31. Don’t know what’s causing me more stress at the mo, the club sale or my own house sale lol.

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  32. Both together Kim must be s total nightmare. Let’s hope regarding the club, no news is good news so still on the market and hopefully going through now if not already through

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  33. Happy new year Kimtoon! Live in hope is exactly right, hard not to get excited isn’t it…

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  34. Happy new year Shamrock and thanks for the comments as always!

    Haha yes typo from me there, meant ‘you get the sense the takeover this month will dictate…’

    I will try and blame a long new year hangover for that…

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  35. Cheers Simon and ahappy New Year ?

    Yeah I figured it was a typo of some sort…

    I just want a decent striker and CM.

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  36. kimtoon:
    Don’t know what’s causing me more stress at the mo, the club sale or my own house sale lol.

    😆 I hope your house sale goes well, Kim.

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  37. See Armstrong is back from his loan spell with Bolton.

    I’d give him a run out at #10 against Luton personally – nowt lost is there. He either has a blinder and becomes an option, or he doesn’t – in which case, a better option has been rested.

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  38. Rinse and repeat every window with this clown of an owner.
    Rafa should walk if he’s not given a budget by the weekend.
    I wouldn’t blame him one bit if he did, then Mikey boy can see his asset slip away, I would get an odd sense of enjoyment from that, just like how he gets a kick out of pissing decent football men around.
    Karmas a *****

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  39. Armstrong & Murphy were at Coventry together and struck up a decent partnership there – I know it’s a lower level, but there’s no harm looking to see if they can rekindle that for the toon. I know Armstrong has no first team experience with us yet like so wouldn’t be pinning all our hopes on it.

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  40. Sharpy17:
    See Armstrong is back from his loan spell with Bolton.

    I’d give him a run out at #10 against Luton personally – nowt lost is there.He either has a blinder and becomes an option, or he doesn’t – in which case, a better option has been rested.

    Definitely. Id like to see a lot of the youth players given a run out. Heardman and Roberts for example. Aarons.

    I read Rafa migjt let Sterry go. Bit of a shame. I thinkmthere is potential there. Same for Mbabu.

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  41. Has any club treat their manager the way jabba has with Rafa still does not know how much he has to spend in the window if any after one week in,what a shithead he is,how does anybody work with a swine like him

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  42. shamrock: Definitely. Id like to see a lot of the youth players given a run out. Heardman and Roberts for example. Aarons.

    I read Rafa migjt let Sterry go. Bit of a shame. I thinkmthere is potential there. Same for Mbabu.

    Yeah Sham – I look at the likes of Everton giving a load of their youngsters a go i it disappoints me that we don’t with ours. Until they get a run out, how do we know.
    I’m pretty sure Armstrong was in the same England squad as Calvert-Lewin – as was Woodman.
    Of course C-L is far from a complete PL player, but he’s learning all the time. No reason why our young uns couldn’t develop in the same way.

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  43. If the takeover is almost done just waiting for announcement like what we suspect, Rafa’s transfer budget should be sanctioned by the new owner, not Ashley. If it is still in Ashley’s hands, that only means the takeover is far from completion, I am afraid.

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  44. So it looks like Gary Neville is the latest to show his true colours about NUFC and Rafa. I think it might harken back to Rafa’s Liverpool days as might also be true of Squeaky Carra. They are taking over from Paul Merson’s Giant Balloon Heed and The Man with a Tan Lawrenson.

    Now Rafa’s retort to Neville was to ask how may La Ligas and Europa Leagues Neville had won at Valencia. I think they were like 16th when they sacked him.

    Of course I would add, as I have before, that Neville was a big part of Mr. Roy’s England set up that lost to Iceland (and played **** in the rest of the tournament BTW) and let Fat Wayne run the team.

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  45. Neville has made a bold prediction that Luton will win 2-1. I wonder if he has the balls to put money on it? Of course if it happens there will be an endless loop on Sky of the Hereford defeat over 40 years ago. That was on a pitch that had a 45% slope and looked like they had about 8 farms worth of cows come and stomp around on it before kickoff though.

    Can’t see it happening even with a bunch of our second string.

    That begs the question of do we want a cup run in our present predicament? It is highly unlikely we will win it so why bother? Would it boost morale or would it be like Brum a few years ago when they won but got relegated probably due to the extra games and distraction?

    Some might say they would take the Cup and relegation if Ashley is still in charge. However, that is not a realistic proposition given our squad. We will not win the cup so it is sort of a moot point. I mean, it is not an either/or as some down the pub like to state it.

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  46. With this squad we will not win the Cup. So, we have to stay up and look for more investment and then we might have a chance. The problem is that even though the top 6 target the CL and PL, one of them seems to win the FA Cup as well, so even if we got to the simi-final we would likely face one of them. I wouldn’t bet on our squad over 2 legs, even though Palace managed it.

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  47. How does Mike Dean keep getting these top games (Spurs / WHam)? The man is a complete bellend.

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  48. I’m not sure why anybody on this planet would be expecting us to make any reasonably good signings this window. You have to follow the form with Jabba and he ain’t going to spend any money when he’s trying to flog the club. He doesn’t like doing it when he wanted to keep it. He’s a gambler at heart and he will gamble Rafa will keep us up and let him have some loans. Although I’m pretty sure we can only have two loan players.

    It surely can’t get anyone mad as it’s what we expect. Let’s hope we manage to stay up and a takeover happens at the end of the season when we know what league we’re in.

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  49. West Ham have hardly been out of their half and are 1 up.

    Spurs players backed off and then Lloris was a bit slow to react. He is always talked about as one of the top 5 goalies in the world and I just don’t see it. I think he is an average PL ‘keeper, but nothing more.

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  50. I can name 5 better in the PL: De Gea, Cortois, Butland, Ederson, Pickford. Maybe even Cech and Begovic.

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  51. Then there’s Oblak, Neuer, Navas, Ter Stagen. I would even throw in Barca’s second choice Cijilsen. There is no way he is as good as the pundits rate him.

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  52. Are Spurs this decade’s NUFC of the ’90s? They play pretty football but fall at the last hurdle. Some would argue that Spurs have been that way since the early 60s.

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  53. Just five points between 10th and 18th. What a strange league. Although it goes to show how fragmented it is.

    We really need to take advantage of our next home game. To have 25 points with 15 games to go will make staying up all the more easier.

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  54. kimtoon:
    http://tombenbow.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/sports-direct-ltd-next-chapter-in.html

    Ashley can also borrow money from bank to finance his shares buy back. Has the bank interest decreased in England or US recently? I would rather believe he has sold Toon and therefore will get a big sum soon. But then why Amanda offered to help if it is already her business? Why Rafa still doesn’t know his transfer budget? I am sure if Amanda is the owner these issues will be already sorted out.

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