With the new season starting to take shape, and the current transfer window nearing its close, it is becoming clearer as to what areas of the Newcastle United team need strengthening, and also what players at other clubs are realistically available to us. With that in mind, which Tottenham Hotspur players would be worthwhile targets?

If a Spurs fan site was to run a similar series of articles, they would certainly be suggesting for each club that the Yids should be signing at least one of their left wingers. There is much debate as to who selects the players that Tottenham sign, but the fact remains that they currently lack in any wingers that can frequently create real chances for their excellent strikers. Aaron Lennon is decent enough on the right-hand side when running at players, although his end-product has much left to be desired. However, on their left side, Spurs have had no-one with real ability for years.

The past two seasons Spurs have finished fifth, and their board and fans expect a serious challenge for a top four finish this season. However, perhaps they need to be reminded that they owe much to the poor performances of their rivals over the past two years rather than to their own quality. That Spurs team would not have finished fifth in the 2001/2002 or 2002/2003 seasons for example. Several rivals have undergone serious improvements over the summer but Spurs have stood still when it comes to addressing the weaknesses in their squad. Without any last minute deals, the Yids will struggle to finish fifth, and it wouldn’t be a big surprise to see them fail to qualify to Europe.

In addition to a lack of creativity in midfield, Spurs also have an extremely mediocre bunch of central defenders when Ledley King is injured (which, lets face it, is all the time), while Paul Robinson’s appalling positioning ability makes him a real weak link in their team. However, having spent so much on transfer fees this summer, it is hard to see where Tottenham can get the money from.

Meanwhile, the current Newcastle team suffers from two afflictions - the lack of any at goal scorer from central midfield, and the lack of a right back with any ability. Spurs have both, but many in Martin Jol’s shoes would certainly be willing to cash on these players to get the left winger who Spurs will fail without.

Of the latter, Pascal Chimbonda is the player the Toon Army have been crying out for for years. A typical ‘Big Sam player’ in that he is a big and physical player, the French right back has now proven at two Premiership clubs that not only is he much better than the last right back Newcastle United signed from Spurs, he is also one of the best right backs in the league. Of course, Chimbonda would command a high cost, but he would be worth every penny, and would allow Jol to go out and buy the left winger that should help Spurs stay in Europe this season.

The search for a goal scoring midfielder brings us to Steed Malbranque. At Spurs and Fulham, the Frenchman has chipped in a share of goals that can make the difference between success and failure at a club whose strikers aren’t good enough to accumulate a high goal tally. Obviously this isn’t the case at Spurs, but Malbranque finds himself out of position in the wide areas, and would find himself surplus to requirements if Spurs ever did sign that elusive winger. Thus, if Spurs did need to raise the cash, their number fifteen is their most likely sacrifice. Malbranque’s ability to play out wide without getting behind the opposition defence on the ball would certainly make him very suited to playing in the midfield trio that Allardyce likes to use.

However, whether Spurs or Newcastle can improve on the weaker parts of their squad before the close of the transfer window remains to be seen. Spurs will suffer the most of the two if Newcastle don’t though, as generally, Allardyce has successfully revamped and upgraded the majority of Newcastle squad this summer, and should be praised for doing so.

Are Spurs in trouble? Who can Newcastle sign with the window approaching closure? Have your say.