The January transfer window is fast approaching, and there has been plenty of speculation regarding Newcastle ahead of it, but a Chronicle report has dampened expectations somewhat.
The report proclaims Newcastle are already pressing ahead with plans for 2020, but appears to continually include negative connotations over any signings in the winter trading period.
The report opens by saying: “Newcastle United have money to spend in January but planning for 2020 is under way – even if the Magpies are not busy in the mid-season window.”
At the end of that sentence, is the first warning sign, and the little nudges keep coming throughout the piece.
A couple of paragraphs later is the next: “When it comes to Newcastle United, Steve Bruce recognises the mid-season window is difficult to do business in as clubs are particularly keen to keep hold of their best players because there is so little time to replace them.”
Another little morsel suggesting inactivity.
Next: “However, even if the black-and-whites do not do business in January, preparations are well under way for next year.”
Then it quotes Steve Bruce: “With the squad of players we’ve got, we’re delighted.”
Followed by him adding: “I don’t want to get everybody’s hopes up because I will only bring in players that I think can improve the team. If there is a youngster out there, of course, we’re always in a position for that but actually improving the team, it’s always difficult.”
None of those lines suggest Newcastle will be actively making additions to a squad that already looks goal-shy and lacking in some areas.
Of course, the article also adds the club are actively attending conferences and games as they scout some of Europe, and the world’s, top young talent, and that is good news.
Newcastle are lacking in certain areas
But the concern is the senior side’s immediate future. We may be sitting 14th, but we are still in the mix of things at the wrong end of the table, and much work needs to be done in the second half of the season.
We must find goals from some of our forward players, and if that means bringing someone in, then that is what Bruce simply must do.
Similarly on the right wing, where Miguel Almiron has – more often than not – struggled this season, whereas fans were excited over the links to Hull’s free-scoring winger Jarrod Bowen.
Hopes and expectations were tempered, somewhat, this week, with suggestions of an imminent bid being played down in the press, and all of a sudden, that fan optimism is gone again.
Of course, time will tell if the noises out of the club are merely a smokescreen to keep their dealings under the radar. Fans will hope that is the case, with many convinced of the need for additions to secure Newcastle’s Premier League status for another season.
At the moment it is a guessing game, and supporters do not know which stories are fact, and which are fiction. Let’s hope that these disheartening reports are just putting the worst case scenarios out there, while we all continue to hope for the best.
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