The winners and losers from Newcastle United’s January transfer business

The transfer window has now closed. It was fun and infuriating at the same time, but the focus has got to switch to staying up.

There have been improvements across the pitch. The focus will be on those coming in, but below, we will discuss three winners and three losers from the current squad, following the transfer window.

Winners

Ryan Fraser 

On deadline day, Ryan Fraser would have feared that he would have been in the opposite category with Jesse Lingard heavily linked. However, we failed to agree a deal with Manchester United, which means that Fraser will be given a chance to secure his first team place.

It looks like we will be playing a 4-3-3 for the foreseeable future, with Allan Saint-Maximin on the left and Chris Wood in the middle. There is a spot on the right and Fraser currently has it.

Eddie Howe is a big fan of Fraser after their time together at Bournemouth and he believes he can get the best from the Scottish international. There has been a steady improvement in his work rate and performances since the managerial change. That said, we haven’t seen a good enough end product from him on Tyneside. 

Since moving to Newcastle, he has three assists in 34 Premier League appearances, many from the bench. Hopefully we see a stark improvement in the coming months. This is his chance.

Joe Willock

Last season, Joe Willock was excellent during the second half of the season. Eddie Howe will hope that the midfielder can re-capture that form. He is the only midfielder we have that can score regularly, even if he is yet to find the back of the net this season.

His movement in the final third is excellent and his forward runs can cause problems for opposition defences. The issue has been the service he has received at times, with good runs ignored. The addition of Bruno Guimaraes should unlock a lot of Willock’s attacking game.

Lucas Paqueta had an excellent relationship with his compatriot at Lyon, with Guimaraes often releasing him into shooting positions. A similar relationship could be built with Willock. One goal could lead to another purple period for the midfielder.

Miguel Almiron

Like Fraser, there is an opportunity for Miguel Almiron to get into the team. He isn’t a natural on the right, but it looks to be his only route into the team if we persist with the current system.

These next few months feel pivotal for Almiron. If he is to be a success on Tyneside, he needs to start performing at a much higher level. He has the work rate and energy to press from the front. However, he has struggled to impact matches like he did in MLS.

This season, he has played 982 minutes in the league without a single goal contribution. During his two previous seasons, he has eight goals and three assists. A summer exit looks likely unless he improves a lot, but he should get a chance.

Losers

Paul Dummett

We are approaching the end of Paul Dummett’s contract and it seems unlikely that he will be kept on for next season, regardless of the division we are in. In our most recent fixture, he was terrorised by Raphinha and the game changed when Javier Manquillo came on in place of Dummett.

That will have served as confirmation to Howe that Dummett is no longer good enough for the Premier League. He is limited in possession and if he is struggling to shut down his winger, he isn’t offering much to the team.

Matt Targett coming in on loan shows that Howe doesn’t rate his current left back options. Dummett has been a great servant for the club, but his injuries have hampered his game. A parting of ways in the next six months seems inevitable. 

Jamal Lewis

It has been written that Jamal Lewis was offered out on loan on deadline day, with the left-back rumoured to have rejected a move to Birmingham City. He could be left out of the 25-man squad.

There were some positive signs from Lewis under Howe prior to his injury. However, it seems that the manager has decided that he isn’t the right fit for his Newcastle United team.

Like Dummett, the signing of Targett could spell the end for Lewis at St James’ Park. He has been horribly mis-managed and a move away could be the best thing for his career.

Sean Longstaff

The first team hopes of Sean Longstaff don’t seem as perilous as the pair discussed above. He played well against Leeds United and Howe has spoken about his desire to keen Longstaff past the end of his contract.

However, the arrival of Bruno Guimaraes means that it will be tougher to break into the team. Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton and Joe Willock are all likely to be ahead of Longstaff in the pecking order.

A few years ago, it looked like Longstaff would be the long term future of the Newcastle midfield. Now, it looks like he will be free in the summer. It’s a shame how it has played out.