It very much looks like it will go down to the wire with Newcastle’s pursuit of Charlie Austin, and it could be that Newcastle wait until late August, maybe even August 31st, for QPR to decide they would rather take around £13M for their top striker Charlie Austin, than get nothing for him next summer or a reduced fee in January.
Steve McClaren has already said he doesn’t expect any new players to arrive before the Premier League kicks off this weekend with the first round of games in the league.
Chancel Mbemba – great signing for Newcastle
The local press is reporting that Newcastle are still interested in signing a striker, a winger and a defender before the transfer window closes on Monday, 31st August – but we wonder if that will include another central defender.
Asked if he expected a signing before the Southampton game, this is what McClaren said after the game on Saturday:
“I would expect what we have got to start.¨ “Are we looking for more? There’s a lot of speculation out there, but nothing is happening at the present moment, believe you me.”
“There’s been a lot of talk about him (Charlie Austin) throughout the weeks.¨ “But we’ve not been in contact with QPR and they’re not with us so no, that’s just a name that circulates and has been going around.”
“There is a lot of work behind the scenes, and it has taken us quite a while to get the ones we have got – we’re pleased with them, very pleased, because of the quality.”
With Charlie Austin it looks like the Magpies will play a game of brinkmanship with QPR, and wait until late in August to see of QPR will accept £13M or less for the striker, who seems to be in on what Newcastle are trying to do.
So it could be another four weeks of this long drawn out saga with Charlie – that could be painful.
🙁
It also looks like Steve McClaren sees Coloccini as a starter who can provide the experience at the back, and Colo could well stay on as captain for this coming season.
Since Chancel Mbemba will be starting at center-back, then if McClaren brought in say Joel Matip of Schalke, there wouldn’t be any room for Coloccini.
The backups would be Jamaal Lascelles and one of Steven Taylor or Mike Williamson.
Paul Dummett and Daryl Janmaat also showed last season they can play in central defense.
We could well see a defender brought in, but one who is versatile and can play anywhere across the back four as a utility defender and can play specifically at right back, as good cover for Daryl Janmaat.
But we doubt that another top-class center-back like Mbemba will be brought in.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
35 comments so far
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:08 AM
Comment #1Hmm If we only end up with these 3 it won’t be a good enough window for me sorry
JAMSHA
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:08 AM
Comment #2Chancel
Win 10 is good if u downloaded from torrent..im gona install it later
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:10 AM
Comment #3where from Jamsha?
OneAlanShearer
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:12 AM
Comment #4It’s not about the numbers we have its about the quality. I am happy for coli to stay as a backup but not as captain or starter. We are short in a number of areas. Nothing changes. They need to sign 3 more.
hibbit
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:20 AM
Comment #5Mc will only be given so much time by the fans if the performances don’t improve…… the first 8 games are a hard start for most teams and most fans seem to except that…. but patience will be running a bit thin by the end of them if we are not improving
G.mc
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:20 AM
Comment #6We need to get Jean-Paul Boetius, a winger with all the skills 100’/. Better than Ben arfa was, goals-speed and he’s not ball greedy as Ben arfa is, check him out on you tube
lochinvar
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:22 AM
Comment #7Don’t say we are not signing another CB just because we don’t want to upset Colos feelings.
Planning and ambition are key attributes to any successful venture, business or sport.
And what about “succession management” – mid and long term thinking is needed.
CB, winger(s) and another forward be it upfront or just behind the number 9 are still needed. The whole world seems to think that.
But does McLaren ? Or is he being constrained by Penfold. We shall see.
melt
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:23 AM
Comment #8I know I’m optimistic this year, but this is not good news. I’m still annoyed we didn’t go in for Caulker on loan. Talk about a wasted oppourtunity to plug a hole in the short term while we flesh out other areas of the squad.
Rotonda heights
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:25 AM
Comment #9”Newcastle Unlikely To Bring In Another Specialist Center-Back”
Absolute insanity that being the case. can we not plan anything properly at this club!! This needed to be addressed more than anything given the goals shipped in the last 3 seasons.
Yes 3 great new signings but given all we know and have been through we still have willo, saylor and colo still headlining our defense!!!!
They whitter on about austin and thauvin where is our rutiger / veltman / dunk even!!
Take a Chancel on me
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:26 AM
Comment #10Repost: I heard on radio earlier that we are supposedly after PSV centre back Jordy de Wijs he comes highly recommended by Gini and he’s 21
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:26 AM
Comment #11Sounds like standard NUFC. Gambling by not strengthening sufficiently, it will come back to bite us as it always does.
As many said before the window, 5 was the minimum and anything less is a failure. Still time of course but that doesn’t sound promising. Personally I’d like to see some British / Prem league experience brought in to supplement the young foreigners we’ve brought in. We’d have a nice balance then.
JAMSHA
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:27 AM
Comment #12Chancel
https:// kat.cr/microsoft-windows-10-enterprise-x64-clean-iso-t11021700.html#comment
Rotonda heights
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:28 AM
Comment #13melt
not fussed about caulker, 2 successive relegations and not comfortable with the ball at his feet, but surely they can get someone who is better than the 3 amigos.
hibbit
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:28 AM
Comment #14rotonda…. 100% correct…….back 4 must be first priority
JAMSHA
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:29 AM
Comment #151 yr free…but if u want permnt use this activtor
https:// kat.cr/windows-10-activator-t11033466.html
its safe..an u can still update ur windows…
Geremi's Prosthetic Leg Fund
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:29 AM
Comment #16We don’t even have sufficient RB cover. Anita doesn’t count, we need someone to push Janmaat in training.
pawl250
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:30 AM
Comment #17I am happy with our additions. I think its added the needed quality in the team.
That with the usual Pardewism that the likes of Aarons and De Jong will actually be like new signings this year.
———————– Krul
Janmaat – Mbemba – Coloccini – Haidara
———— Wijnaldum – Tiote
——- Sissoko – De Jong – Aarons
——————– Mitrovic
Darlow, Taylor, Dummett, Colback, Cabella, Perez, Cisse
Solid team if you ask me. With the likes of Gouffran, Williamson, Riviere not even seeing the bench when they were starting games for us last year.
We could do with one or 2 more, but if we say that is it, the quality of players we have brought in. Mind the only 1 I am concerned about is Mitrovic who could turn out to be a total donkey yet. Would have preferred Austin if truth be known.
pawl250
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:31 AM
Comment #18Geremi
I agree, if I had my way it would be my next signing a young RB willing to bide their time and learn meanwhile push Janmaat in first team.
If we got a young rb, Van Dijk and Austin it would be a perfect window.
melt
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:31 AM
Comment #19Rotunda,
… For free though. If Caulker signed, he’d be the third best CB in our squad. I’ve seen Lascelles in preseason, and you can’t tell me he’s more comfortable with the ball at his feet than Caulker. They look extremely similar in many ways. Although yadayada-preseason-yadayada
melt
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:32 AM
Comment #20pawl,
There’s no way Gino plays that deep.
hibbit
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Comment #21pawl…is that your team for sunday
jayphoto
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:36 AM
Comment #22Should look at taking Sam Byram from leeds! Be good competition for Janmaat.
Can’t see another CB though till next summer! We need one but itl be a struggle to get colo, taylor of Will off the bill. All 3 leave next summer though!
Think we’ll definitely sign another striker. Don’t think it’ll be Austin though.
Got a feeling eventually we’ll pay the rate for Thauvin
magpiesi
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:37 AM
Comment #23These will be leaving in next 12months maybe 2 will be gone by jan.
Colo the most likely to get a game and could get a year or two extension.
Willo squad player so may push for a move.
Taylor fitness issues if he can stay fit someone may come in for him in jan so we can get a replacement in as if we don’t we are…..
Left with just two and kids next summer and will need to sign two.
JackButler
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:37 AM
Comment #24Ed, if we wait for Austin we will lose out as the lad will go this window and unless we bring in another three players we are in for one long painful season…………again!!!
hibbit
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:38 AM
Comment #25pawl…….dummett is out …..colo has not kicked a ball yet….mbemba is out of the uk trying to get a visa….. not a good start
will die for the toon army
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:38 AM
Comment #26Caulker and Fer have relegated two clubs that’s not a coincidence. Thats a habit. May b they r not that good.
I dont want them near my club.
pawl250
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:39 AM
Comment #27Melt
He did for Holland under LVG. AND they made it very far in the World Cup with him in that position.
He is a box to box player, Cabaye played that deep for us and was our best player. Despite the masses of bloggers stating he would be better in the CAM position he just simply was not.
Wijnaldum is an engine. He is strong and good on the ball. Its exactly what we need in that position.
Sissoko is defo in his best position from what we seen of him in the middle last year he really lacks the work rate and does not suit the centre midfield style of play.
I have seen many line ups with Wijnaldum on the right wing and I just think one word – Pardew. Its exactly the kind of stupid half a***d thing he would have done.
He is a central player. I honestly think our best CAM is De Jong, he is danger in and around the box and is the type of player when you watch him he looks like he has the ball forever and has the ability to pick out a pass.
He even did it on Saturday but Mitrovic missed a glorious chance hitting the post late on.
Alot of people do not even know who he was until he signed for us but I have been wanting him here for atleast 2-3 years, go back and look at my posts if you wish!
melt
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:40 AM
Comment #28will die for toon army,
To say those 2 players relegated the club is absolutely ridiculous. Fer, Austin and Phillips were by far their best players last year. Yes, their defence was shakey, but when you’re playing alongside The Ghost of Rio Ferdinand and 2 fullbacks who are 2 stone wet-through, it’s never going to be easy
nut meg
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:44 AM
Comment #29OH DEAR !!
melt
Aug 3, 2015 at 9:46 AM
Comment #30Pawl, I completely agree, However, I don’t see Colback getting dropped, or Aarons getting a start on Opening Day. Gino is a central player, of course, I’m not suggesting he plays on the wing. I see it as something like this
————-Krul————-
Janmaat-Colo-Mbemba-Haidara
———–Colback————
——-Sissoko——Gino——
————Siem—————
——-Mitrovic——Cisse—–
Not much width there, I don’t particularly like Mitro and Cisse as a partnership, and I don’t think 2 up top will last very long at all, but I think that’s how he goes. I’m ready to be proved wrong though.
dean021082
Aug 3, 2015 at 10:02 AM
Comment #31I am happy with for colo to stay in partnership with Mbemba but would like a new lb, winger and striker. Top 8 team.
Krul
Janmatt colo. Mbemba. Tremoulinas
Colback. Wijnaldum
Thauvin De Jong. Esswien
Doumbia
Subs Perez mitrokic tiote Taylor Cabella cisse Anita
Sell sissoko and will cost another 16mil
CharlesNelson
Aug 3, 2015 at 1:51 PM
Comment #32Wtf were you watching? Janmaat and Dummett showed they can line up at center back but you do know they were the 2nd worst in the league. I don’t know if any of them can honestly say they can play center back except maybe Colo.
CharlesNelson
Aug 3, 2015 at 2:54 PM
Comment #33Anyone who puts Colo and Mbemba together in their starting lineup is ridiculous. Any team with height would destroy us. Without another CB, they basically have to start Willo.
mfw13
Aug 3, 2015 at 3:11 PM
Comment #34We need another top class center defender. Period.
Last season showed quite clearly that Coloccini, Williamson, and Taylor can no longer cut it in the Premier League.
blacksmith
Aug 4, 2015 at 7:28 AM
Comment #35I don’t think we need a new CB right now.
We have 5 first team CBs. Mbemba and Lascelles have just joined. I think the uncertainty about them is fueling the push for an additional CB as neither one is Premiership proven. But they will need an opportunity to show their quality.
What i think is more critical is deciding on a consistent back 4 and working with the team defensively so we concede less.
A big part of defending is down to discipline and organization, much of which can be coached.
The season we came 5th was due in large part to a strong emphasis on defending. We also had a prolific goal threat in Demba Ba (and later Cisse) which helped take pressure off our defence.
If we can get our forwards firing and keep a solid stable back 4 I see us doing well.