Where should Newcastle strengthen now?
Posted on July 28th, 2010 | 191 Comments |
Campbell will no doubt beef up our central defensive options and his signature will leave us looking pretty solid in the middle of defence, well in my opinion anyway.
With everyone fit we would have Steven Taylor, Fabricio Colocinni, Mike Williamson, Tamas Kadar, and of course Campbell himself who are all central defenders. Then we have James Perch who can also cover in the centre when called upon, or so we’ve been told he can anyway. So where does that leave us now? I would suggest that the centre of defence is now done, in fact Chris Hughton has said much the same thing, but where should we be looking to strengthen now?
It’s always a good subject for debate as everyone has a different view on what is needed, so I’ll chuck my thoughts into the public domain before anyone else does.
Goalkeepers – Sorted. Enough said on that really.
Defenders – As I mentioned earlier, I think we are pretty much sorted in the centre of defence. At right-back we have Danny Simpson (when he comes back from injury), Ryan Taylor and James Perch who can cover there. I still have reservations about right-back but I think it’s unlikely that we will be looking at signing anymore players for that position.
That leaves the left-back position, with Jose Enrique being the only recognised left-back in the squad. That concerns me, in fact it has concerned me for some time now to be honest as it has been quite a while since we have had cover there. If Enrique suffers an injury, which is likely at some point in the season, then what happens? For that reason i would like us to chase a left-back who can compete with Enrique and offer back-up when needed.
Midfield – We have an abundance of central midfielders in my opinion. Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith, Danny Guthrie, Joey Barton, Dan Gosling and Haris Vuckic are all capable of playing varying roles in the middle of the park. On that basis I would say we are sorted there.
It’s the wide positions where I have concerns. Wayne Routledge provides us with pace, as does Jonas Gutierrez, but what happens when they are missing? Will we be forced into playing square pegs in round holes again? That won’t do in the Premier League, and for that reason I would like us to chase cover for either wing, or chase a player who can play cover on either wing, whichever.
Attack – I would really like to see a nippy, stylish number 10 type striker at Newcastle, but I can’t see it happening. Carroll will be a starter, Ameobi will be hovering around, as will Lovenkrands, and I don’t really have any concerns about them three. Leon Best, Nile Ranger and Xisco make up the rest of the numbers, but for me that is all they do – make up the numbers.
I would like us to sign a proven goalscorer, but the problem is that they cost money, usually quite a bit of it. We would also probably have to reduce the numbers we have playing up front, with Nile Ranger possibly going out on loan to get the first-team experience he needs to improve his game.
So that makes 3-4 players that I would like to see coming into Newcastle. If we could get them I believe that the squad would be more balanced and better equipped to deal with the injuries, niggles and suspensions that inevitably mount up throughout the season.
Where do YOU think we need to strengthen?
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
creative midfielder with pace,and a striker who is smaller in stature with a bit a pace.
if we’re shopping in the bargain basement,what about matt fryatt from leicester?