This season’s transfer window is among the most important in Newcastle United’s history. Despite being relegated the club remains odds on to come back up from the Championship at the first attempt, but a lot hinges on the business that gets done over the next few weeks.
Rafa Benitez has been very open in stating that we don’t need to sell any players in order to bring in new ones. Regardless, some of the first team squad will inevitably make way this summer – following his team selections as we slid towards relegation it’s fairly obvious who does and doesn’t feature in his plans.
Given the eight extra games that the team will take part in next season the need for boosting areas of the squad is fairly apparent. So who could we call on with experience of playing in the Championship? Here are five potential transfer candidates who could do a job.
Will Hughes, central midfielder, Derby County
The Derby central midfielder has recently come back from a cruciate ligament injury sustained on the first day of the season and, although only 21, had featured regularly for three full seasons before the 2015/16 campaign. He made his debut for England’s U21 team when only 17 and definitely has the potential to develop further – so his next move will be crucial. Hughes signing for Newcastle will very much be dependent on how many midfielders leave though, as it’s an area in which the club are pretty strong right now. He’s also been linked with moves to Premier League clubs already, and may fancy taking the direct route. Very technically gifted with a good eye for a pass, he could be an attractive proposition to add the creativity that has been lacking in the middle of the park.
Click ‘2’ below to view the next player that the Magpies could sign in the summer.
now bloody hold on to the ball and see it out
Kimtoon(Quote)
**** off bale
Kimtoon(Quote)
Dragon slayers 😀 😀 😀
Kimtoon(Quote)
At least woy changed a poor team.
Get in England
Gashley(Quote)
When we haven’t got enough fire power up front walker and rose are wasted.
They cause problems when there’s quality to hit ball to
Gashley(Quote)
I think that is qualification guaranteed now.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Rose and Walker are the best full backs I’ve seen up to now in the euros
Icedog(Quote)
It is, Russia have to beat Wales to qualify. If they do then Wales or Slovakia are out.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Now it is all about where England finish in the Group and getting Mr. Roy to settle on his best team and formation. Hopefully, Wales get at least a draw against Russia so both teams will definitely be through.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Well done lads. Positive changes by Roy. Hope he has learnt a few selection lessons there. Sterling and Kane were shockingly poor over the game and a half they had.
Credit to Wales. Lot of effort and team spirit. Ramsey and Williams in particular played out of their skin. I wish we had signed Williams a long time ago.
Shamrock(Quote)
I reckon Wales are going to get through the group. I hope they do.
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock: all Wales need to do is not lose to Russia, so it is in their hands. I think Kane is just knackered. He has played a hell of a lot of games for Spurs in the last 2 seasons and they rely so heavily on him for goals. They don’t really have a backup. There is a hell of a lot of pressure on a young lad with Spurs singing “he’s one of our own” and then having England expect. Give him the next game off to get his head back into it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Sham, I said earlier, I do really like Williams.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Fair comment, was thinking the same when watching the Russia game, he’s played so much football this season and that goes for a lot of our players. We always go into tournaments hanging it seems. Can’t see a winter break ever happening though.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kimtoon: Kane played 47 times for Spurs this season in League and Cups and only 4 of those were subs. He also played the England games as well. On top of that the only other listed forwards in their squad are Clinton N’Jie and Hueng-min who have virtually no PL experience. He really did carry that Spurs team on his back and is only 22.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh, and I think Rooney played OK. I am still not sure why he was never tried in midfield before the tournament but at least he is not a liability now which is what he was when played up front.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Get in Northern Ireland good goal
Kimtoon(Quote)
lovely second for NI well worked
Kimtoon(Quote)
shocking news, poor jo, horrific way to go
http://press.labour.org.uk/post/146016706719/statement-from-labour
Kimtoon(Quote)
I’d rest Rose and Walker for the next game. Would also start with Rashford, Vardy and Sturridge too.
Stuart79(Quote)
Seeing Lothar Matthaus on itv reminded me of a strange story.
My ex husband was on his honeymoon back in 98 in some posh hotel in the Maldives I think it was and Matthaus was in the reception surrounded by fans and he got his autograph on the back of some of the hotel stationary thing. Here’s the weird bit though, he hates football but got it for me, quite why, I have no idea, and even less idea what his new wife made of it. As for the autograph I haven’t a clue where it is now, can’t remember throwing it away though. I had never expressed a particular liking for the player which made it all the stranger.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Stuart: I wouldn’t start Rashford. We are better off trying to get an understanding between the players that will actually start games after the group games. We have to try to win against Slovakia as that guarantees winning the group and an easier round of 16 opponent.
I think Mr. Roy will start with the same team that finished the match except with either Lalana or Wilshere for Rashford. Then he might rest people after half time depending on the score and how the Slovakia have set up. It will be interesting because Wales play simultaneously and if they are ahead then we have to win as well.
I doubt we will see Sterling again and I think Kane needs a rest.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I have just been on NUFC.com and they are doing a feature on all of the clubs we are to visit this year. It is excellent stuff and you should have a look.
What struck me is how the vast majority of these clubs have storied pasts, very good stadia or have recently been in the Premier League. The likes of Derby, Norwich, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds.
The quality of the football will obviously not be as good but there are a hell of a lot of great places to spend a boozy afternoon. Probably more so than the Premier League. It might even be nice to take a holiday from so many visits to Manchester, Liverpool and especially London. Arncha just a bit sick of some of these places and could do with a break?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
eric sykes, regarding your away days in the Championship post….no mate, ive been to these grounds years ago, theres absolutely nothing romantic or boozy about it. plus the locals are all out wanting to make a name for themselves because the toon are in town, some of these trips are frought with trouble… give me man utd, liverpool, arsenal, chelsea, spurs, west hame etc and my prawn sarneys any day of the week mate…
regarding shelvey, see alan smith from a few years back. hell sit tight and pick up his 80 grand a week, the bloke would be mad not too. another bench warmer, maybe he can borrow michael
owen’s bench warmer blanket, hell need it for the cold nights in bristol and barnsley..
england, one of the worst teams in the tournament so far, slow, predictable, poor technique. what a breath of fresh air watching poland and germany go for it yesterday, high tempo, skillful football, ditto france… england are a bunch of overpaid posers. agree with ice dog about our full backs, these two boys are absoluetly brilliant !
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM your reet I’ve done the rounds too ccc grounds mostly are rubbish and the areas are nothing to write home about
Icedog(Quote)
Ice &MM take a look at this, I go past most days as I’m round the corner, it’s a far cry from the days I spent standing on the terraces, last time I was there was 1983. Very different place now.
http://www.bristol-sport.co.uk/stadium/the-plan/virtual-tour/
Kimtoon(Quote)
KIM looks really nice,kinda posh lol,MM does posh
Icedog(Quote)
Would still like standing to return to grounds like
Icedog(Quote)
Ice, nah, nowt posh about Ashton gate mate 😆
Kimtoon(Quote)
MM: Have a look at that NUFC.com stuff. Just about all of the grounds have been improved and increased capacity. And most of the city centres have been improved, even The Bool Reeng.
My problem with Manchester and especially London is getting in and out. Just adds so much more down time. Of course you could always take the DRY trains.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As regards England. Both Russia and Wales sat back and made little effort to play. That usually means a boring game. I think the Germany Poland remark must have been tongue in cheek.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Readings ground is really nice – trouble is there’s never any ****** in it!!.
Ice – I was watch SSN this morning and apparently Celitc are introducing a standing section. It has special folding seats coz CL rules still say all stadia have to be seating only.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Good way to get round that rule mate
Icedog(Quote)
The stats bear out that Russia and Wales set up to defend:
Against Russia, 59% possession, 14 shots, 6 on target.
Against Wales, 64% possession, 18 shots, 10 on target.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I am so used to England (and Rooney) playing absolutely dogsh!t at tournaments that so far this is actually a pleasant surprise. You have to temper enthusiasm somewhat by the quality of the opposition, but I remember that USA game in South Africa where the golden generation couldn’t string 2 passes together.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
As regards places to go to watch a game – I have only been to Manchester once and didn’t much care for it. There was a strange vibe going on which may have been due to there being a gay weekend event coinciding with an Oasis concert at a 30,000 people venue. The city centre was dead on a Saturday night and I had to take my Cubs cap off to get into a bar.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And London is just a traffic/logistical nightmare. I lived there for 3 years. Last time I was back I felt it had changed and was ALL about money. Money was always important but now it is everything.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC was it dry in Manchester? dam place it’s always raining it has the highest rainfall in uk,London you mean rip off city hate the place,was down there a few years back in the centre from work,street venders selling a small ice creams £5,Ime not a great lover of cockneys either in genaral
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: my ex-wife owns a travel company and about 10 years ago we stayed at the Langham in London. It is a mid-high end hotel that we got the room for free but no breakfast. First day we got the buffet breakfast – 45 quid each. Probably 75 by now.
That’s what I am saying about London. You are either stuck in traffic or get the dry trains where I bet you are herded in and out. You could stay overnight but will have to pay 300 quid for a shoebox. I know what the prices are because my ex used to send a lot of Yanks to London.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Jolean Lescott???? You’ve got to be joking mate. That’s as bad as Sylvain Distain. Between them they’re about 150 years old! No. Absolutely not. Get an experienced CB not a senior citizen.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Been to London a few times but not recently. It was always extremely overpriced. A lot like San Francisco. Huge ripoff. Double the expected price on everything or even triple it. Fun to go but don’t expect to come away with any money left in your pocket. And definitely don’t rent a car at the San Francisco airport. Stay out of downtown Vancouver as well. The prices for a drink in the better bars are ridiculous. $15-20 Canadian dollars for a shot of single malt.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2: the thing with a London game is that if a Dad and son went to see say Chelsea, took the train down, went to somewhere like the Hardrock Cafe and stayed overnight to see some of the sights it would cost about the same as their home season tickets.
That’s partly what I was saying about not missing the London games. And when you add in the congestion and ridiculous price of trains, I don’t see how the average fan could do it.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And now with Croatia being referred to the UEFA board are they going to kick some of these teams out? Turkey have also been referred even before the Spain game. One fan threw a flare in their case.
I think the French need some riot police in the stadiums as a deterrent. If they have some already, they need more.
C’mon Wales, you need to beat the Russia and get them home without needing any more official action.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I haven’t been to an away game in years but I can guess that the only way to go to the London games is to park way out and get the tube in. You can then have a bit of fun before and after the games. Makes it an 18 hour day I would imagine and you probably need 2 bus drivers.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
ERIC a lot of fans go down on the bus it’s slow but then you have the ticket and your food it’s still expensive and if your son it just gets beyond reach if you get two London games in between a home game,surely with all the money in the game now clubs should look to help fans somehow
Icedog(Quote)
Ice: my original point was that it might not be such a bad thing to have fewer games in London and Manchester and some of the other cities we will go to are worth a visit. I have done the trip on National Express before and it took about 7 hours because of the congestion when you get into London. On a good day it takes 2 hours from the outskirts to Victoria.
I also drove it and there was a rain shower and some roadworks and it took bloody 9 hours.
Again, it might just be better replacing some of that with other places , even though the football is not of the same standard.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
On the National Express there’s a jolly hostess
Selling crisps and tea
She’ll provide you with drinks and theatrical winks
For a sky-high fee
Mini-skirts were in style when she danced down the aisle
Back in ’63 (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
But it’s hard to get by when your **** is the size
Of a small country
And everybody sings ‘ba ba ba da’
We’re going where the air is free
Tomorrow belongs to me
When you’re sad and feeling blue
With nothing better to do
Don’t just sit there feeling stressed
Take a trip on the National Express, the National Express, let’s go
Shamrock(Quote)
That about says it all Eric mate. Costs are way out of line in the big cities now. Vancouver is very expensive and all we have to watch are the Whitecaps. I’m joking a bit but they aren’t all that good. I don’t know if you get out and watch Chicago Fire, but I’ve been to a few Whitecaps games and come away disappointed. Especially this season. A day in London with your lad is just ridiculously expensive I would think. It’s not as bad here but if you had to come from somewhere outside the lower mainland that would all change for the worse quickly. At least the Whitecaps ticket prices are reasonable.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
G2: the Cubs are still a decent priced ticket for about 50 bucks, $10 a beer and $7 a hotdog. They are now good after not winning since 1908 so tickets are very hard to get though. I am cursed to support both the Cubs and NUFC.
The Fire are **** mate, I think there is some ownership issue, plus their stadium is in the suburbs.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
When I used to follow the toon away we used to travel with National Express busses, train, or the official supporters club. The days out were usually brilliant, with the game the icing on the cake.
No limits on the number of tickets, you could decide on the morning of the away match if you fancied going, had the money to spare, and just headed off spontainiously off there with a car full of your mates. A few pints in the local working mans club then off to the match, avoiding the locals of course along the way. Invariably that wasnt a problem because there were another 3000 of you going to the game anyway.
Nowadays you cant even travel around the uk easily, tickets online, membership of elite clubs required, roadworks, friday night games, restrictions on travel, not to mention the massively exorbitant cost of the event. In the mean time the clubs, players and owners are making millions, while the fans are being bled dry. flipping heck, you cant even stand up in your seat and shout encouragement anymore without being restrained by a steward, reprimanded by the club for bad behaviour, or being tagged as a risk supporter on camera.
The establishment have taken over the sport of the proloteriat, and the grass roots supporters are being milked dry.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Come on Eminem, you and ya mates used to jump on the horse and cart to go watch games, you auld fucka!
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Championship away days were great last time around, went to Barnsley, Doncaster, Scunthorpe and Peterborough, Boro, Great days out and nae botha….well maybe a little v Boro but apart from that just good days on the lash…apart from Peterborough which was a whole Easter weekend lol
richietoon(Quote)
So thoughts on this Euro tournament so far.
Is this going to be known as the tournament of late dramas, what with the Russian fan charge, Croatian fans causing havoc, late winners and late equalisers .
And with security so lax entering the stadia, which is now obvious by the amount of flares that fans have gotten in, are we right to worry about a potential terrorist getting in to the final showpiece with a bomb or such like? The lack of security is quite staggering really. Apparently at the fan park in Paris security is high with a news reader on tv having her hairspray confiscated !yet in the actual stadiums we have fans entering with flares 😕 It looks like everything is focused on Paris with other cities left to fend for themselves.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Looking forward to seeing how the English fans behave for the next game. Sure they can’t top throwing loose change to refugee kids and watching them scrabble to collect it off the ground. Great entertainment that! 😳 😐
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Ouch, but funny
Kimtoon(Quote)
Them Croatian fans most probably cost their team the game yesterday or 2 extra points that is.
Kimtoon(Quote)
There was an article I saw that said they were paying kids to down pints in completion!! Who knows if that’s true, sad if it is though.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Competition not completion 🙄
Kimtoon(Quote)
Though they would have to completely drink the whole pint of course.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kim, I have to say that most of the games of the Euros have been dead set boring(from the games I have endured)
It has become so over thought/planned and the games are played trying not to lose.. dull stuff imo..
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
Aussie, I think that is true of some teams but certainly not all. It would also explain why we have the late dramas, since you can play for a draw but it’s very hard to hang on for the whole 90 plus minutes with out conceding, hence the last grasp winners when legs are tired.
Kimtoon(Quote)
Kim, there was video footage of the incident with the refugee kids…terrible stuff..
spot on with the late goals call… teams are sitting so far back it is not funny. Wales sat back for 45 minutes and got what they deserved.
Aussie Magpie Fan(Quote)
International football apart from the odd game is generally really boring. Especially with these mini league affairs. Nobody wants to lose and you can qualify with three 0-0s. Boring. The CL is getting that way too in the early stages.
Georgio(Quote)
There doesn’t seem to have been as much rolling around and play-acting though. I have been watching Copa America as well and it is highly likely that the USA will face Argentina in the semi-final. If ever there was a mis-match of talent….
80-odd thousand mostly Colombians watched their team play last night and not a sniff of trouble. And these are Colombians mind, I think they were the ones that shot that player a few years ago.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh no, now we have the Skippy’s trying to muscle there way into the euros. I knew we shouldn’t have allowed them to sing Walting Mathilda at the Eurovision song contest.. you never know where it will end… 😆
Munich Mag(Quote)
Georgio, dead right, this sitting back and playing on the counter attack is boring, will get football done away with.
What happens if both teams play that way…ffs !!
Wales and England, two really poor teams imo..
Munich Mag(Quote)
Aussie Mag, my first away game was to see the Toon play Old Corinthians, there was a bloke with a red flag in front of the train, it took us ages to get there….but we von 14-13. Great day out though !
Munich Mag(Quote)
MM: it should be interesting to see what happens if anybody decides to attack England as Rooney has had no pressure on him so far and the 2 centre backs are probably the worst partnership in the past 20 years. There is some attacking talent though.
Not much NUFC news but the transfer window hasn’t opened yet and we might see some movement once teams get knocked out of the Euros? The Agents are all probably there filling up on canapes and champagne.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Oh no, the poms wipe the floor with the Aussies yet again at rugby…and all on there home turf !!
Munich Mag(Quote)
Maybe I’m the odd one out but I’m actually enjoying watching the Euros this year. Not really focusing on England as don’t expect much from them but as a neutral fan watching the other side’s it’s actually enjoyable. Better than watching PL games.
Shamrock(Quote)
Eric, you could be right regarding England, our two centre halves are prone to mistakes, and both don’t look particularly comfortable on the ball. Our full backs are brilliant though….. our attacking options are average, and will be easily nullified by a halfways competent defence.
You have probably read between the lines that I don’t rate England. 🙂
Sterling and Kane, both flatter to deceive. Can’t understand why the English press are raving about Dier either, the bloke has absolutely no range to his passing, and is another average player imo.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Sham, agree with you there… I enjoyed watching Albania the other day, Germany Poland was brilliant…. Italy formidable against Belgium…the England games average minus ..
I’m pinning my hopes on seeing a different England once we have qualified and enter the knockout stages.. What we’ve presented so far has been decidedly average..
Munich Mag(Quote)
So FIFA are now looking to take action against Croatia for the crowd trouble again yesterday.
Yes coz someone buys a ticket & wears a shirt, doesn’t make them a fan!!.
For me they are punishing the wrong people. They should be looking into how these thugs got flares & fireworks into the stadium in the first place. They should be fining the French FA for **** poor security in the grounds & putting the lives of thousands at risk.
Alright I know a flare ain’t gonna kill people, but if these people can get flares passed the officials then what’s to say worse can’t get smuggled in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHAM I agree mate,maybe because I’ve done my back and ime lying flat on the bed great to have three games a day,some think it’s boring but I enjoy watching how ITALY defend as a team,and very very little diving which does my head in,maybe refs have had a word that they won’t wear it
Icedog(Quote)
MM: we can’t even tell if England are good or bad because both Russia and Wales sat back and Mr. Roy tried a new strategy for the first time with Rooney as the fulcrum. We will have to see what happens when teams press US. So far this is OK and the team is young.
Sterling’s confidence is shot and Kane is knackered. I said earlier that Kane played almost all Spurs games this year because they had no alternative. I also didn’t realise he played every minute of last summer’s U21 tournament. He has played 2 years straight as a lone striker. The alternatives at Spurs are N’jie and Son and has anybody even caught a glimpse of them?
Eric Sykes(Quote)