Former Sunderland midfielder Don Hutchison has advised possible Newcastle United’s outcasts Dwight Gayle and Jack Colback to keep working hard.
Our struggles during the summer transfer window were well documented and our lack of signings mean Ashley could have once again made a rod for his own back when it comes to ‘his’ club’s Premier League status.
In addition to the lack of arrivals, we failed in their attempts to offload certain unwanted players, and with Gayle and Colback appearing to be up for grabs sale on deadline day, it will be difficult to know what the pair’s mindsets are given they remained at a club that did not seem all that keen to keep them.
In his latest column in the Chronicle, Former Sunderland man Don Hutchison has advised the outcasts to keep working hard as an opportunity might just present itself through the course of the campaign:
“The transfer window is closed and Newcastle United can at least get on with their jobs for the rest of the year knowing what they have to work with, but there could be a few awkward moments up and down the country.
“Some players have been stranded at clubs who do not want them, while other managers are stuck with players they know were desperate to get away.”
“In the case of the Magpies, we know they tried to sell Dwight Gayle, Jack Colback, Jesus Gamez, Henri Saivet and Massadio Haidara, but weren’t able to.”
“All of them have been named in Newcastle’s 25-man Premier League squad so it will be interesting to see Rafa Benitez’s attitude towards them – will they be welcomed back into the fold, or will he try to make their life uncomfortable so they feel they have to go in January?
“You just never know when the manager is going to come calling so they’ve got to make sure they’re in the best possible shape for themselves and the team.
“Aleksandar Mitrovic has already picked up a suspension, so Gayle’s route back into the first XI is not that cluttered, and Rafa’s inability to sign the left-back he wanted means he could yet need Colback to fill in there.
“But even if they don’t get a sniff between now and Christmas, they still have to be mindful that word quickly gets around in football.
“Rafa will make phone calls to other managers and say the player is not part of his plans but if he’s acting like a great professional, he will tell them that. Likewise, if anyone mopes around other managers will soon find out and it might put them off making a move in January.”
