One of the reasons Karl Darlow was brought in over the summer and signed a year ago was so that Newcastle had three experienced goalkeepers at the club in case Tim Krul was injured.
We got into a mess last season when both Tim Krul and Rob Elliot was injured and we had to play the inexperienced and untested Jak Alnwick for eight games.
Stephane Ruffier – Saint Etienne 29 year-old goalkeeper
The club wanted to ensure that didn´t happen again – or at least we assume that´s what they wanted.
It´s a cruel blow to lose Tim Krul for the season but we now have Karl Darlow and Rob Elliot available, although Karl has a foot injury at the moment and will not return for another four weeks, but he could be available for the heavy fixture list in December.
Newcastle have recalled Freddie Woodman from his impressive loan spell at Crawley Town, so he´ll be on the bench this Sunday and will be back-up goalkeeper until Karl is fit again.
Newcastle have already been linked with goalkeepers that we may sign in January, including Manchester United´s Victor Valdes although there´s news today we are not really interested in him.
We don´t think Newcastle will be interested in bringing in a goalkeeper in January as long as things go OK until then and that Karl returns in four weeks and Rob Elliot stays fit.
Only if the form of our reaming goalkeepers is not good – or more get injured – that´s when we would go in and sign somebody in January.
And our injury record so far this season is maybe even worse than last season – and that´s saying something.
The worry is that Rob Elliot´s thigh injury is dodgy – that´s the one he picked up when he played injured when Tim Krul was first injured last season and before Rob´s thigh finally went and Jak Alnwick came in for the second half at home to Chelsea in early December.
If Rob gets injured before Karl is fit again we would be able to sign an emergency goalkeeper.
The latest goalkeeper we are linked with is 29 year-old Saint Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier, who is available in January.
If Newcastle are forced to buy a goalkeeper in January we had far better bring in a good one – or at least get a good one on loan for the second half of the season.
But if all goes well in the next four weeks until Karl Darlow is fit again we wouldn´t expect another goalkeeper to arrive in January.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
11 comments so far
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Comment #1After this player after that player
Until we start winning games and moving up the table – signing these players is pie in the sky.
Who would want to come to a club sitting at the bottom of the premiership at Christmas.
To be able to go after these players in the transfer window we have got to win at least SIX games out of ELEVEN between now and January 1st which would leave us on 21 points and lower mid table going on past years.
Six games are winnable but the players have got to step up to the plate and perform
Charlie Austin believe it when I see it
lesh
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:34 AM
Comment #2Our injury list’s worrying for two reasons:
What’s causing ’em and
Why so many happy to check in as injured rather than champing at the bit to play?
lesh
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:35 AM
Comment #3Charlie
You’re a killjoy!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:44 AM
Comment #4lesh
Not me the kiljoy the bloody TOON are kiljoy’s
Shattered dreams or what!!!!!
AncientC
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:50 AM
Comment #5So we currently have Elliot available and Darlow back in 4 weeks, why do we need another goalkeeper again?
Mister Tuff
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:53 AM
Comment #6reilly – previous thread – indeed I’d forgot about the sick jokes re disabled people.
Seems others have also forgot about this and his other abuse. Clearly they choose to “turn a selective blind eye”.
BandB
Oct 15, 2015 at 10:15 AM
Comment #7Colo DOES give a lead in the dressing room.
Here’s Charnley confirming it.
“To their credit, the players, led by the captain, agreed to this incentive scheme despite our 16th place finish last season.”
Lee Charnley, January 2014.
Influential man, Colo.
nufc 11
Oct 15, 2015 at 1:41 PM
Comment #8Nufc sticking their heads in the sand again not interested in Valdes why the fcuk not? we get relegated see what that will cost, Charnley asleep at the wheel again, shopping for cheap imports and a has-been leading them in colo this has all the makings of a ship sinking and no 1 looking at the stern going under we my friends are in deep deep shit.
Ravostag
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:12 PM
Comment #9Elliott will no doubt suffer an injury as well, no other teams seem to have the problems that we do. why?
OneAlanShearer
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:32 PM
Comment #10Nooooooo. Elliot should not start. Woodman should start. Please don’t do it schteve. Have faith in woodman.
OneAlanShearer
Oct 15, 2015 at 9:33 PM
Comment #11We need leaders on the pitch not the dressing room.