1st July 2005
By Tanzo
Silly season is now hotting up, as clubs desperately try and complete
their trading of players, to snap up the bargains and the superstars
to fire their team to glory amidst all sorts of outrageous rumours.
It is no secret that a couple of decent signings for Newcastle gets
the Geordies revved up and ready to take on all comers. Dreams of
lifting the Premiership or a Cup keep us going during the barren period
of May to August when we can't get our football fix.
Partners and/or relatives may be deluded in that since there's no
football for a few months during weekends that you forget all about
it until August comes. Visits to Garden Centres, and shopping trips
and relaxing holidays in the sun. It never works for me though. My
head still whizzes round in over-drive like it does during the season.
Who will we sign? Where will they fit in? Indeed, last summer when
I went on holiday, I spent a good couple of hours every day going
online at the Internet café just to check on NUFC news to see if we'd
signed anyone and what was going on back home. Some break!
So then, 2005-2006. Who should Newcastle sign to launch their assault
on the Premiership? There are already all sorts of rumours flying
around as to who we'll sign. Ideally, I think and expect that having
had to write most of last season off as we went through yet another
"transitional" period Souness needs to deliver to appease
his critics. Our target should be a top 4 finish and a place at least
in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. A quick look through
our squad, I would say we need the following: left-back, centre-back,
left-winger, right-winger, and one possibly even two strikers. This
is subject to us concluding the transfer of Emre, if not then perhaps
we can add a central midfielder to the list as well, assuming Lee
Bowyer is sold also.
Left-Back
Having sold Aaron Hughes, who provided decent cover across the back
four we don't seem to have another natural left-back, which meant
Peter Ramage deputised in this position. A quick scan across the Premiership
teams seems to show a distinct lack of talent in this area that we
could attract. Players like Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge are out of
our league right now. Souness and his scouting team may have to turn
to Europe to find a gem.
Centre-Back
One player I admire in this position is Matthew Upson. Since gaining
regular first team football with Birmingham City from Arsenal, he
has managed to force himself into England squads. He is strong in
the tackle and good in the air. He has worked well alongside the more
experienced Kenny Cunningham, and I feel alongside Jean-Alain Boumsong
at Newcastle he would flourish. Boumsong plays almost like a sweeper,
sitting off the other central defender, winning the ball when he has
to, and then laying it off to others.
This would compliment Upson who may be able to play a more man-marking
role. I would tempt Birmingham with a £4m bid and then possibly be
able to pay up to £6m for his services. Upson may be willing to join
us to further his England ambitions, and to earn European football
to enhance his game. Another player I would target is Ledley King
of Tottenham. King got his big chance against France for England in
Euro 2004 and people were concerned. Not me. I knew he'd seize his
moment and he did. He never put a foot wrong. Similar to Titus Bramble,
but better in my opinion, much better. Like Upson, I feel he would
compliment Boumsong well. The stumbling block may well be whether
he'd want to leave Tottenham. Martin Jol has laid some wonderful foundations
and they appear to be a club on the up. I'd expect to pay up to £8m
for King.
Left-Winger
I'm not too keen on Luis Boa Morte and would dissuade any move for
him. Whoever comes in has the unenviable task of trying to follow
in Laurent Robert's shoes. Robert could set goals up, and score them,
and he was a player I rated very highly. It does appear that Souness
is looking to play a 4-3-1-2 formation allowing Dyer to play off the
strikers. If so, then I would consider Gareth Barry. Having started
out at the back, Barry's transition into midfield saw him recapture
some of his best form. Playing on the left hand side of a central
pairing he would provide stability.
Great defensive capabilities as well as having a great left foot,
Barry could easily fill the role. He has a creative side to his game
as well, and is adept from the spot. He was involved in a lot of Villa's
good work in their 3-0 victory over us. I would think that Barry would
relish a chance to further his career at Newcastle and play European
football. A bid in the region of £5m may be too good to refuse for
Villa. Other than Gareth Barry, as England are finding out there is
a shortage of decent left-sided players. However, Stuart Downing could
also be a great acquisition. However, I think Steve McClaren would
do all he can to hold on to the developing youngster and any move
may ultimately prove futile.
Right-Winger
One player I would love to see in a Newcastle shirt is Shaun
Wright-Phillips. Champions Chelsea seems the likely destination for
Wright-Phillips, but if we could budget our finances to steal him
then he'd fit the bill. Quick and skilful Wright-Phillips can take
men on and deliver breath-taking crosses. He also has an eye for goal
and chips in with his fair share, something our midfield needs to
rectify. His transfer fee is the stumbling block however.
Chelsea reportedly have bid £15m for his services and this seems out
of our price range. If the money could be found then I'd urge the
club to b ring him to Tyneside. Alternatively, Steed Malbranque
would be an ideal signing. He appears to have fallen out
with the management at Fulham and is seeking a move. Malbranque can
play either centrally or on the right hand side. He would fit in well
with a central 3 partnership. He can use both feet and has a great
range of passing, creating many chances for others. He also scores
goals too. A bid of around £3-4m should be enough.
Strikers
Without any hesitation I would move for Andy Johnson. Top goalscorer
for a struggling Crystal Palace side he really showed his class. What
impressed me most was his finishing. He can strike a ball very well
and is deadly. Johnson was played in the main as a lone striker. He
worked tirelessly chasing lost causes and fashioning chances from
nothing. I can only begin to imagine how well he could perform with
better players alongside him creating chances for him, as well as
forming a partnership with a fellow striker.
Simon Jordan wants to keep him at Palace, but with their relegation,
and Johnson's desire to play for England in next summers World Cup
I think if we really went for him we'd get him. A bid of around £5m
could begin to tempt them.
Michael Owen's name has also been linked to Newcastle. Owen in my
opinion is a fantastic player. His finishing is superb and he is very
assured in front of goal. Though he's quite small, should he beat
his man to the ball, his heading ability is also fantastic.
Although he may not be as fast as he was due to his hamstring problems,
I feel he could compliment Shearer or Johnson very well, with Dyer
behind creating space with his dangerous runs. A player of Owen's
class though deserves to be playing Champions League football something
we cannot offer. I would make a bid and try and lure him here on the
off chance he accepts the challenge to fire us back into the Champions
League.
If we could attract the stated players our squad as a whole would
improve tremendously. Alongside the players we do have, we should
be able to cater for the inevitable injuries and suspensions. I feel
the squad could rival our challengers. Indeed, the signing of Scott
Parker is a tremendous step in the right direction. Long may it continue,
spend the cash wisely Fred!
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