Embarrassing stuff at NUFC as another crucial window looks destined to end in disaster
Another transfer window and it is increasingly looking like it will be another disappointing one for Newcastle under Mike Ashley. Yesterday saw brief and exciting reports of Daniel Sturridge travelling up to complete a move to Newcastle, only to be somehow beaten to the deal by West Brom hours later. With so little time left, what ramifications does the incompetence of Ashley and Charnley have in the short term?
Top Targets missed
It seems like a broken record every window but leaving it this late means first, second and even third choice targets have moved elsewhere or are no longer for sale. NUFC had clearly identified Jorgensen as a top target and after weeks of haggling seemed to have missed the boat. Quite why they won’t pay the going rate when we are in desperate need of reinforcements is staggering. Sturridge was also clearly on our radar and to be left with egg on your face, waiting for him to travel and then not show up, is embarrassing. The reality is, we should move for targets and ‘get them over the line’. Anyone can identify targets, but it means nothing unless you sign them.
Benitez forced to hunt for bargain basement additions…again
With Rafa being told the takeover was off at Christmas, which was before we all knew, it made sense when the Spaniard insisted we wanted to have all business done before the 20th of January. This made sense, giving us three weeks and more games for new recruits to have an impact on the team. Just like the summer, it looks like he will be forced to scrape the barrel and pick up players other clubs didn’t want or that were not even on his list. The likes of Joselu and Manquillo must have fallen in this bracket in the summer too.
This all makes the Burnley game and survival even tougher
The whole idea of getting a striker in early was to help us with some crucial games coming up, especially the next two against Burnley and Palace. Instead, the atmosphere is looking like being tense and anti-Ashley (rightly so) with focus again taken away from the pitch. We don’t have a good enough squad to get away with distractions and still perform. If nobody arrives, it could be a tough evening on Wednesday at St.James’.
History to repeat itself tomorrow night?
Over the last decade we have some farcical deadline days. Selling Andy Carroll, waiting for Bryan Ruiz to fly in on a helicopter or constantly being told we just couldn’t ‘get it over the line.’ It is very difficult to think other than we will have disappointment again tomorrow. That would have bigger ramifications on us staying up, the takeover ever happening and Rafa staying. Either way, the club has a clear issue with getting deals done. Ashley will not invest, Charnley seems incapable of doing anything. While that structure is in place it is hard to envisage us signing anyone of genuine quality.
How do you expect the next to unfold?
