With the transfer window now closed, the debate can start over just what Steve Bruce’s best side will be when everyone is fit this season.
After a very slow start, as the club stumbled from one mistake to another, additions were secured during the latter stages of the transfer window.
Joelinton is the biggest name to arrive, with his £40 million signing smashing the Newcastle transfer record, and he will, of course, wear the famous number nine shirt.
With the exciting prospect of Allan Saint-Maximin joining, along with Dutch full-back Jetro Willems, the left flank looks like an area of the pitch that Newcastle can prosper.
Although Swedish right-back Emil Krafth signed on deadline day as well, it seems that two of the best pieces of business at St James’ Park was keeping midfield duo Sean Longstaff and Isaac Hayden.
So Newcastle know what they have got between now and January, so just what will their strongest lineup be for the first half of the season?
There are a lot of offensive options for Steve Bruce
Obviously Martin Dubravka is an automatic between the posts, and he is likely to be behind three centre-backs, which seems to be Steve Bruce’s preference.
With central defence being one of the positions where Newcastle have good depth, it will be interesting to see which three will be the starters.
Jamaal Lascelles, as skipper, is always likely to start, and Fabian Schar is similarly expected to get the nod. But after that, you have soon to be match-fit Florian Lejeune, Paul Dummett, Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark all vying for one spot.
Assuming that Bruce will use Krafth and Willems at both full-back positions, it is likely that Dummett will get the final place from the outset.
The midfield duo almost picks itself too, with Longstaff and Hayden looking like first choices, and Jonjo Shelvey to see off a challenge from Ki Sung Yueng when he decides to play three in the middle.
Joelinton, Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron are all sure starters, but where they play will depend on Bruce’s formation from game to game.
So we think this may be the best available XI used in a 3-4-2-1 formation: Dubravka; Lascelles, Schar, Dummett; Krafth, Longstaff, Hayden, Willems; Saint-Maximin, Almiron; Joelinton
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
