A look at the January transfer window for Newcastle United

With the international break upon us, talk in the papers, the online forums and social media seems to be directed at the forthcoming January transfer window. It seems to be taken as a given that Newcastle United will be doing a lot of business during this transfer window; with many players expected to leave and a large number of players coming in to the club.

Rather than write yet another blog on the disaster that is the 15/16 season, I thought I would have a glance at the current squad and maybe look at the areas we need to improve, who could potentially be moved on and who we should be looking at bringing in.

Whilst we might well be wanting to ship a lot of players out, either permanently, or on loan, I suspect who we bring in, or rather the quality of player we are able to attract, will be dependent on our league position. There are 11 league games until the transfer window opens and unless our performances on the pitch dramatically improve we’re going to be in a position where it might be hard to attract anyone to the club. Would top class players sign for a club 10 points adrift at the bottom of the league? Unlikely.

In an ideal world we should have 2 top class players in each position. Realistically we aren’t going to achieve that in one season but it is something we should be striving for in each transfer window. We are famed for topping the injury table every single season so we need players who can come in and more than cover when injuries and suspensions occur. This season we are only a couple of months in and already we have had to play untried kids or move people out of position; this is unacceptable.

Below is a broad overview of the current squad. I have not included any of the kids/under 21s; only the players we have seen this season and are likely to continue being involved in the first team squad.

Krul has started the season poorly (as have most players to be fair) but is Darlow an adequate replacement? Does Krul deserve to be dropped?

I like Krul a lot, he seems like a genuinely nice fella and someone that seems to be well respected in the squad. He is capable of world class performances and I wouldn’t really be putting any solo blame on him for the results this season. Some performances have been iffy but I would say the goalkeeping position is relatively safe and not a top priority.

In defence we are low on numbers, talent and ability. It is an area that has needed addressing for a good 4+ years now. We need a top class centre back, left back and we need cover at right back. I have been impressed with Janmaat and Mbemba this season and would be happy with both of these being first team regulars. Williamson and Taylor are simply not good enough to start, or act as cover, and should be moved on. I could write a whole new blog on Coloccini. He is club captain, a calming influence when playing and he is capable of top class performances but these come far too infrequently; he needs to have competition for his place in the team.

In midfield we certainly have the numbers and I would be willing to give most of them a chance with the exception of Obertan and Gouffran who I would move on. In midfield, who plays depends on the system that McClaren uses and whether or not he wants wingers or to play a narrower formation. I don’t think midfield is a priority but if the likes of Sissoko and Tiote are sold in January then we need to invest in top class replacements.

Finally, attack. I like Mitrovic a lot and I want to see him leading the line in all games, I firmly believe he will become a wonderful player for Newcastle United. Ayoze Perez has turned in some outstanding performances this season when he has come on from the bench replacing Cisse and he has more than done enough to be considered as a starting partner for Mitrovic. Perez and Mitrovic have the foundations of a blossoming partnership; they are young and give their all in games. They have a fantastic attitude and any future Newcastle United team should be built around this partnership.

Cisse has been woeful this season and needs to be sold as soon as possible, as does Riviere who was never up to scratch. However, that leaves us light on numbers so a priority, alongside defenders this transfer window must be a striker. Charlie Austin has been linked throughout the summer and he will be on the clubs’ radar but will he sign for a club in the bottom 3 and risk relegation again? Competition is vital and it will be interesting to see if Adam Armstrong is integrated in to the first team squad when he returns from loan at Coventry.

So to summarise, this January transfer window I would be looking to actively off-load Williamson, Taylor, Obertan, Gouffran, Cisse and Riviere. I suspect Sissoko and Tiote will attract offers but I’d try to hold on to both until the summer.

In terms of incoming players, we simply must sign defenders, and not just one; we need a top class centre back, a top class left back and at least one extra as cover, possibly two. We also need a striker and I wouldn’t look further than Charlie Austin.

This transfer window will define our season, it could define our future under McClaren but we simply must improve in the league or we will be left stranded at the bottom, facing an exodus of players with no one willing to come in. The next 3 months for Newcastle United are huge