Newcastle have left it (very) late to bring in a new striker this month and the options we have are now starting to diminish…..quickly.
If Saido Berahino is not available from West Brom and we cannot persuade Loic Remy to come on loan to Newcastle then we could still sign Bafe Gomis, who was our number one target when he was still at Lyon in the summer of 2013.
Bafe Gomis – 30 year-old Swansea striker
There is news that 27 year-old Espanyol striker Felipe Caicedo may be available for about £7M – the same fee the 30 year-old Gomis would be available for – but Felipe is untested in the Premier League.
It turns out that at the moment we are favorites at 8/13 odds-on at SkyBet to sign the 30 year-old.
If we do end up signing Gomis that would not be good use of £7M for a 30 year-old and would almost be the only striker option left to us – a poor option.
Gomis is said to have a release clause in his contract of £7M,
Swansea are close to signing Chievo striker Alberto Paloschi, so they don’t think Gomis can do the job for them.
Gomis scored four goals in the first four games this season, one against Newcastle, but has only scored two in the last 19 appearances – he has 6 goals in 23 total appearance for the Swans this season.
We are hoping we can still get Loic Remy in on loan, but the fact that Leicester City are reported to be interested in signing him permanently is worrying.
Who would have thought Remy would have preferred joining Leicester to Newcastle a year ago?
But that could turn out to be what happens in the next four days.
In the last year Leicester have gone rocketing up to the top of the Premier League from bottom place – and we have gone in the opposite direction – just as fast.
🙁
Comments welcome.
114 comments so far
Blofal
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:28 AM
Comment #1It it McClaren though?
It doesn’t matter how many millions you spend if you are making the chances and not taking them.
We are creating chances. McClaren can’t make the players take them.
And I think our defensive lapses are often caused by our constant need to attack leaving us open at the back.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Comment #2Lilongwe Geordie // Jan 28, 2016 at 9:29 AM
Mac needs to pick up at least 4 points from the next 2 prior to Chelsea and City (although City is to be rearranged).
Bournemouth and Swans have winnable fixtures next up, and if they do then it puts us under major pressure. Norwich Spuds, Sunderland Man City and West Ham Villa are more difficult for those around us.
On the following Saturday Villa play Norwich, which is huge for us. Again, Swans play Palace which is a good fixture for them. Bournemouth and Sunderland have it tougher against Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.
4 points would see us keep touch with Norwich, catch up Bournemouth a bit and pull away from Sunderland and Villa. 2 defeats isn’t worth thinking about.
I wonder whether they are planning for a Macca replacement if results don’t turn quickly?
Rotonda heights
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Comment #3i know our scouting system is a bit of a joke but surely in the whole wide world there has to got be some relatively quick, mobile goal getter out there.
Blowing 25M on Thauvin and Townsend is stupid when we’ve addressed none of our key problem areas, apart from Shelvey being a creative midfielder.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:34 AM
Comment #4Blofal,
It is only the last few games where we have really created many chances though. Prior to the New Year we were creating fewer chances per match than any other side in the league. Then, once the penny seems to have dropped about where to play Gini, he switches formation and again, we create less chances.
He has been misusing Gini most of the season, and it was fairly obvious watching the side play that he was.
There are clearly issues within the squad, as within any squad, but his job is to get the best out of them, and I’d say that other than the opening 45 against West Ham, so far he has not managed that at all.
A good training ground coach but tactically naive at times. Personally I’d prefer him to oversee youth development and have very little to do with the first team on match days.
cyprus
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:35 AM
Comment #5I hope Shelvey proves to be what you describe, scary performance was his last.
Lil,
I think the answer to your question is no. They’ll try to help this guy to get it right, even if the boat sinks. And 80 mil is decent help, for now.
King Colback
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:36 AM
Comment #6How does a swansea fan find a sheep in long grass?
Irresistible
cyprus
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:37 AM
Comment #7Maybe our next transfer should be a new coach (so the head coach stays)
Jack Root
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:38 AM
Comment #8Wats/ Corky
Byram was born in Thurrock/ Essex and his family live there. We were sniffing around but lack someone backing judgment.
The sale was handled by Cellino (Chairman ?) at Leeds and it went to WHU over Everton.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:39 AM
Comment #9Cyprus,
You are probably right, although short of bringing in someone to ‘work alongside him’ like Swansea have done (this essentially reads as replace, but don’t want to tell him he is sacked) then what more help can they give after Monday?
If the boat sinks, how much of the £80 million will we recoup? Do we think Townsend and Shelvey have signed without release clauses if we go down? They will almost certainly have wage reduction clauses, so I’d imagine they argued that they deserved release clauses in response to that.
WWSBRD
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:40 AM
Comment #10Rotonda
Winger was a key problem area mate
Rotonda heights
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:40 AM
Comment #11Lilo
Don’t really get the martinez hate. for years he was on a shoestring budget at wigan , having to play the likes of caldwell etc and somehow, ammazingly he kept them up year after year playing decent football.
Even the year they eventually went down he still won the cup against mega rich city.
He went to everton and got them 5th place and in to europe playing wonderful keeganesque football, after the dour, functional, fare Moyes served up.
He’s hit a road block like all managers do, but you do seem to be rather disproportionately dissing the man. You could argue we have good players but we are relgation threatened.
Players like Baines, Coleman, etc who have previously been outstanding are having off seasons. It happens.
I wouldn’t imind the likes of Allardyce, Pulis or AP gettinng sacked as they should all be done for crimes against football, but martinez is one of the good guys.
cyprus
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:43 AM
Comment #12Rotonda,
saying we’ve blown money on Townsend before he even kicks a ball for us is unfair. Maybe you are referring to the actual position. But wingers are still a pretty useful breed, when they can apply their trade.
Rotonda heights
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:43 AM
Comment #13WWSBRD
So signing Thauvin who had had an appalling season and Townsend whose stats are woefully pathetic is going to solve that?
Not against signing a winger, just a productive one would have been nice.
The overrated Frenchman
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:44 AM
Comment #14People around Swansea have found a couple of new things to do with sheep. Apparently you can eat them and use their wool.
Rotonda heights
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:44 AM
Comment #15cyprus
spuds fans are praising levy to the skies for getting 12m off us.
OneAlanShearer
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:45 AM
Comment #16Our best xi as it stands?
Mitrovic Wijnaldum
Townsend colback shelvey sissoko
Dummett colo Mbemba Janmaat
Elliot
442 but if we push up townsend for 433 we look potent. In my eyes Wijnaldum has to play but interesting to see where if we sign a top striker.
King Colback
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:50 AM
Comment #17Did you hear the price of lamb has gone up in Swansea?
It’s now £6.70 per hour
BandB
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Comment #18Once the window closes, a new manager would be the only roll of the dice left to the club.
I don’t think McClaren will be allowed to take us to the last day as Carver was.
There are unemployed managers out there who are used to having their players bought for them and who might like to work with Wijnaldum and Shelvey.
Hopefully they may now see the sense in breaking the mould on the type of manager Charnley said they required.
cyprus
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:56 AM
Comment #19So he gets no chance eh 😉
I guess if he doesn’t score a wonder goal and put in an assist or two he is a waste.
I reserve my judgement. For instance, I thought Shelvey was overhyped as a player, he gave me a brilliant first game, a pathetic second. I’d love it, love it, if he becomes the signing of the season.
Same with Townsend. If Spuds fans are celebrating, I don’t really care. I argue that the fans themselves can’t really judge. He’s hardly played. I concede that that could mean something, btw.
Blackley and Brownlie
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:57 AM
Comment #20The idea of football is to score goals, more goals than the opposition. It thetefore goes without daying that you need a goal scorer. You get one and then build a team that will play to his strengths. What do we do? Spend the best part of £100m and don’t get a goal scorer. Now it’s a case of any goalscorer will do. What is the plan? Whose vision are we working to? It’s a dogs breakfast brought to us by the same people who served up the last bowl of tripe.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:57 AM
Comment #21Rotonda,
It certainly isn’t hate, he just isn’t a particularly good manager. We do have good players and are struggling. I wouldn’t rate Macca or Martinez much different.
Martinez couldn’t even achieve the league positions of Bruce and Jewell at Wigan. The season before he took over they finished 11th. Martinez never managed above 15th. You name check Caldwell, but he was a Martinez signing and he made him captain….
The main reason for their fifth finish was the more attacking football based on Moyes defence. The longer he is there the poorer they have looked, he can get them playing all the nice football they want, but they are now a squad of better players that aren’t performing because he doesn’t understand how to set up a balanced side.
It isn’t a road block, it is something quite a few said would happen, much in the same way people are predicting Pardew’s demise based on his past, this was always going to be the case for Martinez.
Blackley and Brownlie
Jan 28, 2016 at 9:59 AM
Comment #22Cyprus
Fans can’t really judge?
catchy in norway
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Comment #23Rotonda
That’s your opinion , and you are welcome to have it. But I don’t see it as wasted, it’s like what comes first to you , the chicken or the egg, there are good arguments for both.
Every season every team needs to strengthen, and ask any fan of any club they will all give you a different position to fix and why.
Only a few weeks ago, loads of fans where complaining about Anita and Collback, headless chickens many would say, people complaining that Gini is wasted out on the left side.
There all valid arguments.
Now more than ever we need a finisher, because we are creating good chances, but for me I think about what SBR did for Shearer, thaw managers before SBR had Shearer running the line trying to get in behind the opposition defence, SBR said stop, I want you in the box, as you don’t have the legs to do it, I will get you runners, the next window he brought robert and Bellamy in, we had dyer and when fit we had a lot of pace in the team,
I really think that Mac has figured out what we need, and is addressing it, we have decent players coming in that looks on paper to be a very balanced team, and on top of that there seems to be a good team spirit throughout the squad.
Rome wasn’t built in a day
Toonfan8
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:01 AM
Comment #24There are proven defenders available from EPL like Gibbs and G.Cahill, we should go all out for them, we are missing player like Cahill in CB
Take a Chancel on me
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:02 AM
Comment #25Catchy I like your thinking but SBR and Macca are not in the same breed
corkypants
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Comment #26Jack root
Yeah i heard that he grew up as a hammers fan theres still altot of good talent in the championship missed not just by us but by most prem teams.
Someone in the previous thread said mentioned Jordan Rhodes surely 7 million spent on him would be better than 7 million spent on caciedo or bafetimbe gomis
expatmag
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:03 AM
Comment #27Frenchman
Saw your post earlier. Been a while since I was up your way touring the wineries and visiting the sanctuary.
On the subject of Allandale, I was there in September last year. Was also at Allenheads too
BandB
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:04 AM
Comment #28Catchy
A full tank won’t make a broken car go.
Spending money is a start.
Our relative form isn’t improving, and something that looks better but isn’t is cosmetic change, no matter how much it cost.
corkypants
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Comment #29Also who would play tiote this weekend if the move is off
lochinvar
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Comment #30Go Miss – somewhat unfortunate name for a striker
Would prefer Goal Getter whoever he plays for at the moment
Blackley and Brownlie
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:06 AM
Comment #31I don’t see Spurs former winger Aaron Lennon setting the heather alight at Everton.
cyprus
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Comment #32B and B,
I meant fans can’t judge him because they haven’t seen enough of him. He has been cold shouldered.
Take a Chancel on me
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Comment #33Rumours flying round twitter this morning that we are after Luuk De Jong again. I bloody hope not
Rotonda heights
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:10 AM
Comment #34cyprus
if fans can’t judge ??
jazzyp
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:11 AM
Comment #35Went for a job interview the other day. Trouble is I have a bit of a past, So the force wrote me off without giving me a chance to prove myself…Shame that !!
Rotonda heights
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:12 AM
Comment #36take a chancel
he’s not exactly a speed merchant but bizarrely in a different system, ie not AP or JC he could just work.
beermonkey
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:13 AM
Comment #37chancel
morning
cant see dejong coming back
magscar
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:13 AM
Comment #38Still feel there is a chance that Berahino will move this window but not necessarily to us. Do we need yet another England player with something to prove? Or would he be the pacy forward we have been sorely lacking once up to match fitness?
I am of the opinion he is likely to move because I can’t see what actual gain there is in WBA holding on to him until summer when he will only have 12 months contract left. He seems to have fallen out with both manager and chairman so is unlikely to sign an extension nor play regularly. As we know and surely Peace does this sort of scenario usually ends up with an eventual move for less than was on offer.
Spurs armed with Townsend money (in full as we always pay up front) could be in pole position if they are still interested. On the other hand if Peace is still miffed at Spurs unwelcome approach last summer might we be his favourite?
Unless Mac has seen something worth hanging on to in Riviere ( unlikely given Townsend arrival) it would be dangerous to rely on what we have and of the 3 strikers being regularly linked (Remy and Gomis being the others) Berahino would be my hope but not at anywhere near the inflated £30M supposedly wanted by Peace. He seems the only one that would see us moving forward next season as well.
However as we know beggars can’t be choosers so we may end up with the desperate choice or go with Townsend filling in as a 2cnd striker from match to match?
The overrated Frenchman
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:14 AM
Comment #39My grandad worked in a lead mine at Allandale. Made a proper mess of the poor old bugger. Ruined his lungs. Same thing happened to the other grandad who worked in the tin mines in Cornwall, dead before I was born. Such is life. Anyway, I’ve drained the last of this bottle (a nice little Pinot, which followed a nice little Chardonnay, which followed a Four Pillars gin, made in Healesville and all) and I’m off to bed.
Take a Chancel on me
Jan 28, 2016 at 10:16 AM
Comment #40I would love to see Berahino come but I think its unlikely