The last three months have been draining, chaotic and have ultimately ended in disappointing fashion, as we ended Friday’s deadline day with No Marc Guehi, no new right-winger and no signing that improves last season’s starting 11.
Fans have been left confused and frustrated, Darren Eales and Paul Mitchell are under pressure and must explain what’s gone on and there’s a feeling that Eddie Howe hasn’t been backed, even if PSR limited some of our spending power once again.
So, what did go wrong? What happened?
The Dan Ashworth saga dragged on and the end of June’s PSR deadline was a total mess, not only forcing us to sell two of your best young talents to avoid a points deduction, but seeing us flirt with the idea of selling Anthony Gordon in the process. The fact we let ourselves get in such a desperate situation was a huge concern.
Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi’s exits followed soon after, which felt sad and destabilising given their passion, importance to the PIF takeover and rapport with Howe, players and fans. Then, in early July, Paul Mitchell was appointed as our new sporting director. A smart appointment based on his pedigree, but a bit late in the transfer window considering his “90% recruitment” remit meant a totally new dynamic for Howe and a likely reset of transfer plans just as we should’ve been moving for top targets.
Taking it back slightly, I do wonder if not signing Tosin Adarabioyo felt like an early blow that scrambled our plans, as I imagine his ‘free transfer’ would’ve allowed the bulk of our remaining budget to be spent on a top right-winger in the months that remained. That isn’t an excuse for what followed, however. We had plenty of time to reset our plans and ultimately failed to sign two of our top priorities in the three months that followed.
I understand the need to avoid panic buys, to sign the “right players” and avoid wasting money on deals that don’t make sense or could backfire in time, but we’ve known all year that we needed a centre-back and right-winger. It’s hard to believe how we’ve not managed to recruit either when a decent wedge of money was there and we had so long to prepare and push for two priority positions Howe’s XI was crying out for.
It also feels like we allowed ourselves to get into yesterdays desperate deadline day position by spending too long on Marc Guehi. You could argue he was never worth £70m, despite ticking so many boxes, yet he seemed to take up so much of our time over the final month of the window, only to remain at Crystal Palace. Perhaps there was genuine alternatives that were pursued – Tapsoba, Thiaw and Simakan were all mentioned at different points – but we don’t know if they were happy to come, with so many factors determining whether a deal is do-able.
On outgoings, we appear to have been poor sellers again. I have some sympathy, as it’s not easy moving on deadwood who are on big money, often injured and/or have seen their careers go a bit stale – Hayden, Lewis and Targett come to mind – but this summer felt like the right time to sell the likes of Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and perhaps even Kieran Trippier based on their age, contract situation and the fact it may have been our last window to get a half decent fee. We’ll never know the ins and outs behind each case, but I am surprised to see the lack of ‘player trading’ that Eales talked up a few months ago to help us work within the world of PSR.
Moving forwards, there are some real positives to hold onto – we kept our three prized assets in Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, the brilliant Sandro Tonali is back and genuinely ‘like a new signing’, key players who were injured last season can have a big impact this year (Pope, Barnes, Willock, Joelinton) and Howe didn’t leave for England.
There has been some decent signings, too. Lloyd Kelly is a handy squad option who improves our depth on the left-side of our defence and I am hopeful Will Osula can develop into a good Premier League striker under Howe. He has the raw tools to make it as a 6ft 4′ unit with bags of pace, a great coach to learn from and gives us another much-needed option up top given how often Wilson is injured.
However, back to our fears moving forward following a poor window, our failure to qualify for European football has put pressure on the need for a big 2024/25 – not only to keep this ‘ambitious project’ moving forwards but to make sure we are in a position to keep world class talents like Bruno and Isak this time next year. That has to be part of our thinking and some will say we’ve failed them if our lack of signings has limited Howe and the player’s ability to make another top four push?
We can still have a good season, but we’ve cocked up this summer on too many fronts and have to learn from our mistakes – and quickly – if we’re serious about becoming a club that regular competes for Champions League football alongside the ‘big six.’
Here’s hoping for a strong end to 2024 on the pitch and a much better 2025 off it, where we should have plenty of ‘headroom’ from a PSR perspective and money to spend after very little investment over the past two transfer windows.
Howay the lads.
How did ashworth saga force us to sell players?
Did Mitchell come with no list of players he had files on for transfers? Where was he last working, Tescos ?
Andrew scott(Quote)
I wont blame Eddie now if asked to grab the England job he obviously hasent got the backing he was promised no signifacant signings quite bad really. Not sure whats going on inside newcastle again.
Cooperman(Quote)
There isn’t a balanced view imo.
There has been a lack of awareness, planning in the recruitment department, putting all their eggs in one basket with Guehi, a lack of flexibility and urgency with our approach to recruitment which led to departures in June and a last ditch attempt to sign Elanga.
The only slight glimmer of hope could be a rejuvenated Tonali.
We have also had players on stupid contracts some from the Ashley era and some not, bleeding the club dry and not wanting to move on.
All the clubs who we are supposed to be trying to compete with have all managed to do shrewd business in terms of exits and recruitment and we have done Zilch, which is absolutely pathetic.
Joseph(Quote)
I’m not sure I buy the “Howe hasn’t been backed” narrative that is continually trotted out. The reason Murphy, Longstaff, Krafth, Lacelles, Dubravka, Almiron and the ludicrously injury-prone Wilson and Willock are still at the club is because Howe wants them there. He doesn’t want to sell anyone. Not even Wood, Shelvey or Ritchie. Applecarts are perfectly safe in Howe’s world.
A evolving manager/management team would have lived up the name and evolved.
By the way, am I the only one who isn’t quite sure that Tonali will be the Zidane everyone is now making him out to be? Last season after a bright start he faded badly and struggled to cope with the demands of the Premiership (although there were probably mitigating contributory circumstances). I’m still not sure, though.
I am also probably alone in looking at the touchline at times and seeing something Laurel and Hardy about Howe and Tindall.
Panther(Quote)
going backwards?
david(Quote)
The buck stops with Eddie Howe far too much say led to confusion and a one player pursuit
If he left tomorrow now I wouldn’t blink
Why has such a wonderful coach seen his team outplayed in all first three fixtures including against Forest reserves.
I’ll say it how it is…the king has got no clothes on
Howe out
John Eddy(Quote)
I agree with your last paragraph if things aren’t going too well that’s exactly what they look like and did so for almost every away game last year when so called lesser teams played us off the park.
David(Quote)
This is fair enough comment. There appear to be major ructions behind the scenes, and fans need to realise the reason Amanda got the sack is she was responsible for our two stars being shockingly sold: she had months and months to see what was coming and did zilch, though it’s clear the Ashworth affair was a negative beyond our control (he’s perfectly entitled to go for more money and a better job wit his old mates who actually can spend money). Our on-field displays clearly show we’re in big big trouble. OO-er.
davewallace(Quote)
I am with panther and others that Howe is partly responsible .. not all Mitchell and eales fault .. it may well be Eddie did not want other players and was fixated on a hood centre back not ranked in the top 10 in Europe and valued at £35 million on Transfermarket .. Amanda has planned to leave and though she left it in good hands .. Howe has been found out in a good few games or it maybe injuries but if it continues we need a new top coach with European experience who has won things money to spend and can keep the season on season improvements .. top 6 for next two seasons minimum
Mike(Quote)
Nowhere does it say Ashworth forced us to sell players? That line is merely saying that was the first of several crappy sagas – the PSR deadline just happened to follow it.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Well, the feel good factor around the club seems to be gone .
kimtoon(Quote)
I remember a positive at the end of a transfer window under Ashley being ‘we didn’t lose anyone’.
I’ve said it throughout, you can’t call PSR when you have £70m to spend on a player – there is simply no argument & you just sound stupid.
This ‘right’ player has to come from Howe. I don’t believe for a second that with all the players out there, that there was no ‘right’ player available – nonsense.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Howe has actually come out and denied that Guehi was there only target so think your getting bit obsessed with the let’s blame Howe scenario like I said in my last comment in the previous article this wouldn’t have happened under Staveley and Ghoudossi this has happened on Eales watch read the Craig Hope piece in the Daily Mail with an open mind and see if there is things you agree with or disagree with
Darren Bebb(Quote)
I’m probably on my own here but I’d have been happy to see the club taken on the PSR pantomime as well actually.
By all means sell Anderson, I’m not sure there was much room for him in the squad – as much as I rate him, the player ahead of him are probably better to be fair.
But keep Minteh & be a minimal £35m over 🤷🏼♂️. Force the question to address why clubs outside the top 6 are being punished when others quite obviously aren’t.
If that resulted in a 3 or 4 point deduction then so be it. Having Minteh in the team & the goals & assists he could have provided could have quite easily covered those & and more.
We may have avoid that point reduction, but in doing so we have strengthened a very definite rival.
I think the very obvious difference in how the PL are holding teams to account is boarding on corrupt and I would have been happy to see our club take that on.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I think there needs to be some common sense on where newcastle are and what players are in the squad in terms how they performed last season.
Isak, second behind haaland in goals scored for a striker.
Trippier, most assist from rightback last season, second after trent the season before. (even with missing for alot of the season)
Gordon, most goals and assist for a left winger last season.
Bruno, probably only rodri, maybe rice better overall midfielder last season.
More than HALF the team was missing for half the season last season.
The focus from Newcastle to hire James Bunce to try to manage the injuries and get more out of the players could be a masterstroke if they succeed with the strategy.
Yes we have not signed anyone, but not one of the signings that brighton, west ham, aston villa, chelsea nor man utd have made, would go in to the current best starting 11 at newcastle when everyone is fit, bar maybe Joao Felix (Im still on the fence on that one also)
I know people are high on Minthe, but he is not proven in the premier league. He had a relatively good season in eredivision. (So did Anthony befor manu signed him for 85m pounds) Season before last Almiron had better return on assist goals in the Premier League!
Newcaste scored more goals than all but pool, arsenal and manu (With key players out for half the season).
Look at City and Liverpool. They have not invested either this window, because their strategy is different to try to grow the squad within. And this is exactly the strategy that newcastle are trying to do forward.
Im pretty exited Newcastle has not lost any players. Newcastle has never had a squad like this since the days of Keegan, and Im pretty sure Newcastle will be exiting and fun to watch througout the season. Expecting more from the players missing last season (Barnes, Wilson, Tonali, Trips, Pope, Joelinton, Willock, botman (when hees back).
People need to see that there is other strategies to enhance players and trading that to go gunghow like Chelsea and Manu. Driven by the mediafrenzy Manu and Chelsea channel SKYsports! Those days are far behind us, and I am pretty sure Newcastle will be better for it.
I fully trust Howe and the journey Newcastle is on, lets not panic!
Jørn(Quote)
Darren – you may be right, but Eales was there when Mandy was there too. I haven’t read the Hope article yet so that may answer it to be fair.
My issue with the theory though is that Eales background is football – he’s held numerous positions at various clubs – pretty much building a club from the ground up in America.
Mandy buys and sells assets (I mean that with the greatest of respect – I have huge admiration for her). Her background isn’t in football really and certainly not player transfers.
Maybe the 2 are really very similar, or maybe her role in it wasn’t the business but the people skills – courting the players & making them feel welcome & wanted.
She struck me as someone who would give consideration to partners/wives & families. We sign young players & moving to a new club & area can be a headache not fully considered.
It’s probably why we see so many players move around London clubs.
I could well believe Mandy played that important role in recruitment.
Sharpy17(Quote)
And also Minthe scored some goals fro brighton i preseason from right wing,
Murphy scored four??
Jørn(Quote)
Jorn- Gordon got 11 goals & 10 assists last season.
I don’t expect Minteh to achieve that – but I predict he as an individual out performs Murphy & Almiron combine.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy get your point but this has been the worst window since the takeover and Eales has overseen it this could have been a game changing window with 2 good signings tha Osula signing seemed to take an age personally I don’t want to see the CEO thinking he’s a strictly contestant by dancing at the stack his job was to deliver and he hasn’t
Darren Bebb(Quote)
Darren – I’m not disagreeing with you mate, not for a second.
I’m more pondering the reasons than offering a solid opinion really. Eales & Howe are the constants & Mandy leaving & Mitchell coming in was the changes – which isn’t a revelation, everyone knows that obviously.
But was the list of targets largely players Ashworth identified & Mandy back?!
Did Mitchell come in & rip that list up to start again – setting us back & causing Mandy to leave?!.
It does feel like Ashworth is very different to Mitchell.
I’m fine with the idea of buying young players & developing them – BUT – I also think you have to secure the here & now as well, and signing a RCB even on loan would have done that – ALSO – it’s hard to convince that your priority when we are still to appoint a coach to develop these young players we are bringing in … instead relying on Steve Watson to come in between managing Darlington.
Essentially, they have achieved nothing this summer.
Sharpy17(Quote)
well there is no statistic that would back your assumption.
Almiron has proven he can score and assist in the premier league when fit and on form.. (he stilled managed 5 goals and 3 assist in all competitions when he also was struggling on an off with injuries throughout the season.
11 goals and 2 assist in the 22/23 season in the Premier league.
Murphy had 3 goals and 8 assist last season in all competion (3-7 in pl) last season.
So i you add almiron and murphy togheter they produced 8 – 10
Minteh had 11 goals and 6 assist in the 23/24 season in the Eredivise and cl last season.
So Last season newcastle produced 18 goal points from right wing, Murphy and Almiron togheter (that is without counting the few games gordon and barnes played togheter) pl, cl, fa and carabao
Minteh produced 16 points from right wing in Eredivice, dutch cup and cl.
…. Only thing you can argue for is that Minteh could have a higher potential in the long run, but I would say that you are betting against the odds..
Jørn(Quote)
by the way, the newcastle lineup beating Tottenham at home last year:
Isak
Barnes Gordon
Anderson Bruno Longstaff
Burn Schaar Krafth Murphy
dubravka
Tottenham are missing Richarlison and Solanke
I feel quite confident about tomorrow
Jørn(Quote)
Another thing that gets overlooked as NUFC’s pitiful record of development of “ones for the future” signings – Minteh, Kuol (the new Shearer, supposedly), Ashby (the new Tripper…), Harrison (if he’s good enough, he’s old enough, surely, Miley was..)…..
This goes way back too – Woodman, Curtis Good, Vukic etc etc
Panther(Quote)