It seems that it will depend on whether Newcastle qualify for the knock-out rounds of the Europa League, as to how many new players Newcastle will bring in during the January transfer window, and with Newcastle carrying out very intricate and detailed planning for each window, we have to assume there are two sets of plans for what Newcastle could do in January.
Moussa Sissoko – on Newcastle’s radar screen for January
And that depends on whether we can finish in the top two in Group D of the Europa League and go through to the final 32 and the knockout stages of the competition.
The existence of two sets of plans seems reasonable, but we must be almost odds-on favorites to qualify for the final 32, and a win at home to CS Maritimo next Thursday night, which is Thanksgiving over here in the US, will put us through.
It seems that at the moment Newcastle are keeping their powder dry, and no bids have been tabled for any of our targets, and it also seems there are still some concerns with some club hierarchy about Mathieu Debuchy, who is 27 and right on the edge of the age of players Newcastle like to recruit.
Other players Newcastle have been linked with include Toulouse box to box midfielder Moussa Sissoko, FC Twente center-back Douglas, and Marseilles striker Loic Remy, and the first two have contracts which run out in the summer.
And it’s almost certain that Newcastle will need to bring in another striker, since we only have three experienced ones at the club at the moment, and Shola Ameobi looks to be in the Nigerian squad for the African Cup of Nations in January, after the manager praised him to the heavens after his 30 minute substitute appearance on Wednesday night against Venezuela in Miami.
And Demba Ba’s status is also uncertain, because of that release clause in his contract, which is said to activate again in January – and the circus begins – again.
We’d like to see a striker and two other players recruited in January, but there have been no budget plans given to Alan Pardew yet, because of the (slight) uncertainty of qualifying for the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
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19 comments so far
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 17, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Comment #1Hi Ed, where has this information come from if you don’t mind my asking? No quotes, so is this just a reported theory out in the ether or has it come from within the club?
Makes sense, just wandering.
archaeomag
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Comment #2@ED – Careful there -In the UK we are having an Enquiry into phone hacking – Derek or Mike might sue you if you have been spying!
sirtoongospel
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:02 AM
Comment #3It’s reported in the Journal this morning, and whatever happens this season we should be investing in January. We need 3 in. The squad needs freshening up with a differnt option or two. Some players are under no pressure for their place and it shows. The whole squad needs a rocket up their arse. Too many are blaming Cisse for our woes, and it is massively unfair. The whole team apart from probably Santon, need to take a good look at themselves and get it lifted. Sick of hearing them talk, anf then not deliver. Reality check time.
WWYCD
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:03 AM
Comment #4Much like our transfer plans were in limbo until we qualified for the groups during the summer…worked out well didn’t it
Sissoko will be approached for a pre contract in Jan doubt tubs will stump up so money for anyone he can get free a few months later imo
jimmysmith
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Comment #5I guess that’s why he’s called Ed, he’s edtorialising, with avengance.
IITianToon
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:04 AM
Comment #6Yeah lets hope Benny’s extra efforts this week pays off.. the 4 points from our first two home games were largely a one-man effort ..
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #7Sirtoon….It has been pretty much the whole team and I agree, Santon has been the stand out player, at least at a more consistent level. Even Krul has made a few more errors than he normally would. Time to walk the walk lads.
Marty-Toon
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Comment #8Makes sense yeah,
We need to get some players through the door that can compete for the 1 st team straight away
Transfer Sage
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:08 AM
Comment #9Ibiza
Do you think krul is less motivate now forster has moved on permanently?
He will have always thought he needed to show his worth whilst Forster was just on loan but not be has no real competition maybe he eased off?
It could also just be down to form or the fact he has been injured though
Transfer Sage
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Comment #10Does anyone need a link for today’s game?
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Comment #11TS…I suppose that is possible. Would like to think it’s not the case mind. For now, I’m happy to put it down to the injury, slow start and lack of form. He’s still saved our backsides a few times this season and the mistakes haven’t been too costly so far. Don’t blame him for the 2 recent long ball goals conceded, but you do have to wander about their communication when two players made it look so simple.
Still, I love him at Newcastle and rate him really highly.
Super Magpie
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:12 AM
Comment #12I wouldn’t hold my breath for players coming in.
We’ll probably bid £1.5m for Sissoko when Toulose want £2m and refuse to pay it.
Why should it matter if we qualify for the knockout stages?
We needed players in regardless because during the Christmas period you basically play every 3/4 days for 3weeks so it will be clear we need reinforcements by them because the squad will be exhausted.
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Comment #13TS…Yes! My normal site isn’t showing any yet. Still has Fridays games on it….grrrr…
jimmysmith
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Comment #14I wonder if Routledge will return to haunt us, I mean literally with that big head and those small hands. Always felt there was a hint of dwarfism about him.
Transfer Sage
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Comment #15Ibiza
Oh yeh, wouldn’t change him at all. He is clearly our best keeper and still makes top saves. I just think he is 80/90% of himself last year but think after a few games he will be back to his best.
Also I wish we had just loaned Forster again, he would be worth a fortune after those two Barcelona games.
Super Magpie
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Comment #16Then*
Transfer Sage
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Comment #17ibiza
imagine this is the one you use then
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/?option=com_lsh&view=lsh&layout=webmaster&tmpl=component§ions=35&bg_color=ffffff&font_type=Verdana&font_size=12px&font_color=000000&link_color=0088b3&link_hover_color=5500ff&actab_body_color=ffffff&start_time_eventtitle_font_size=12px&slides_color=5e6eb8&starttime_color=e1f54c&event_title_color=ffffff&inside_slide_bg_color=e7e7e7&tvname_font_size=14px&tvname_font_color=42312a&tvname_bg_color=d6d6d6&tz_name_bg_color=ffffff&tz_name_font_color=000000&tz_name_font_size=14px&offset=7&ling_hover_bg_color=c0c0c0
it will have all prem games on soon enough
even the early kick off arsenal v spurs
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:27 AM
Comment #18TS…Yep, that’s the one 🙂
I’m certainly not worried long term about Krul. On Forster, I was under the impression he really wanted a permanent move in the summer as he was sick of being 2nd fiddle at Newcastle and didn’t just want to be a loan GK, which given how well he’s doing, was fair enough. Would have been great for us to have the back-up or extra money, but such is life.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Nov 17, 2012 at 10:41 AM
Comment #19So far this year we have been screwed by Injuries and bans to players who have got red cards. There are also one or two who have accumulated yellows and will be banned witheir next card!
A lot of youth players have had to step up to the first team this year, which may be a good thing
First team players have been missing for one reason or another? Injuries while on international duty hav,nt helped.
Everyone was pissed off last week against West Ham and the chance is big that unless the team ups its game, precisely the same will happen against the Swans this afternoon ! Routledge will be out to make a point against us just like Nolan and Carroll last week.
Its plain as day that something will have to be done in January, especially now that Shola is heading for Africa to play for Nigeria. I am hoping we can “stop the Rot”, this afternoon but i fear the worst!