Earlier this season, news emerged that Newcastle had scouted Miguel Almiron’s former teammate Josef Martinez. The Venezuelan has been quite prolific for Atlanta United of the MLS, scoring 88 goals in 100 appearances.
With Newcastle desperate for goals from the striker position, the 26-year-old’s name again emerged through a Q&A in the Chronicle this week.
Lee Ryder was asked if Newcastle still held an interest in Martinez. This was Lee’s response:
“Steve Nickson has definitely scouted him, and they are monitoring.”
That set of a bit of frenzy that Newcastle could be targetting Martinez for a reunion with Miguel Almiron on Tyneside. However, Doug Robertson, with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which is Atlanta’s only major newspaper, tweeted the following yesterday about the striker’s link to Newcastle.
Re: J. Martinez and #Newcastle: he has said many times he wants to stay with #atlutd until team no longer wants him. He’s very happy at #atlutd. #nufc
— Doug Roberson (@DougRobersonAJC) January 23, 2020
Newcastle have probably kept tabs on Martinez, but we doubt he would be a significant target, at least not this month. He’s likely to cost quite a lot of money, and the jump to the Premier League from the MLS is a massive one.
Bruce has also played down bringing in a striker this month as he expects everyone to be ready for the Norwich match next week.
“Hopefully by the time we have played Norwich, I am quietly confident everybody else will be fit.
“If there is somebody better and can improve the squad, I will try to act.
“But what’s the point? If Andy Carroll and Yoshinori Muto are going to be fit in the next two weeks, what would be the point in bringing in somebody if they aren’t any better?
“I won’t be dragged into that. I will have to be patient and go with what we’ve got.”
Bruce has handled this window expertly, in our opinion. To get two quality additions, assuming Valentino Lazaro signs, with still a week to go is excellent work so far.
However, that is not enough. We suspect that Bruce is just playing down expectations as he’s done all season long. Hopefully, we’ll get a striker in this window. Or at least left back cover and Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen.
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14 comments so far
Jib
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:12 AM
Comment #1As well as looking at players and how they perform scouts also
take on board the systems and formations they play in (are used to)
Inter play 3 – 5 – 2 , a formation that could get more out of Joelinton.
Bentaleb and Lazano are here to replace the Longstaffs who have
been brought on too quickly.
Rather than a striker I’d prefer to see us sign Danny Rose.
Hail Wor Ashley
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:12 AM
Comment #2So bloody often I’m the last poster on a thread before Ed/Neil write a new one.
Ok so Lazaro look set to be done.
Not getting too excited by this one. Don;t see him as a “clear improvement” on Yedlin and more of a “for the sake of it” which we said we wouldn’t do.
Saying that, I was wrong about Willems, but bang on about Krafth who literally made zero sense and now we;re adding another on top of him so we have 4 RWBs. One of them is surely away before Jan 31st, likely Manquillo.
What we need now is a LWB and Rose seems to be the only name linked on that front.
Then we need, not to be greedy because I don;t think we will get both – a ST and/or a supporting attacking player to challenge Almiron/ASM and shunt Atsu down the order away from the XI.
Candidates for me would be Bowen/Lookman/Fraser – the last one wold surely be a possibility at a cut price given his contractual situation, getting him would also increase our chances of Callum Wilson in the summer when Bournemouth go down.
bettyswallocks
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:16 AM
Comment #3LCBP……. From previous. You asked if the lads were being pressed by other players when doing the passing drills. The answer is no and the cones were static.
It’s a pity we couldn’t play against teams whose players don’t move around too much, we’d see some nifty skills then.
geordietom
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:23 AM
Comment #4https://www.themag.co.uk/2020/01/valentino-lazaro-confirmed-now-at-newcastle-united-training-ground/
RobLeenio
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:29 AM
Comment #5bettys, I’ve often wondered why it is that we don’t bring the U23s and the first team together for joint sessions.
We could have the 1st 11’s defence against the U23s attack and vice versa, two games of attack versus defence, giving both squads time to work on their drills in a ‘live’ situation and giving the manager an opportunity to look at the stiffs in a semi-competitive situation against senior professionals, the better to gauge if they were ready to make the step up, while also giving them extended practice against more skilful opponents.
As far as I know, no teams do it, but it seems a no-brainer to me – a sensible use of available resources.
hibbit
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:35 AM
Comment #6https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-city-transfer-news-bowen-3771337
Moonraker15
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:35 AM
Comment #7Very good signings so far after Bentaleb and Lazaro we should go all out to sign Danny Rose. But without a proper goal scorer it could all be in vain as you can’t rely on Carroll’s fitness, Muto doesn’t score and Joelinton’s a write-off!
We will survive, just but we have a great opportunity to get in the top 8 with the quality of our defenders!
bettyswallocks
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:36 AM
Comment #8Rob………… I think it’s just a numbers issue. Bit like a classroom of kids with too many pupils and the teacher struggling to impact on anyone individually.
When Rafa arrived I remember him insisting that only first team players likely to get a start were allowed to train with the main squad. I suppose so he could maintain focus.
RobLeenio
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:41 AM
Comment #9????
@Sports_Journo_1
BREAKING: Bournemouth are in talks to sign Danny Rose.
Watford and Newcastle are two of six Premier League clubs interested. #THFC #AFCB #NUFC #WatfordFC
Hail Wor Ashley
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:41 AM
Comment #10Hmmmm, Carrasco now available from Dalian Yifang.
Give Rafa a bell!
Given his wages over there though, doubt he’d come here, think he;s on £150k+.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:42 AM
Comment #11If we could get Rose and Bowen in you would have to say well done to everyone at Newcastle 4 players in with really good pace and quality is just what this club should have!
The way we currently play leaves loads of spaces for someone like Bowen to sneak behind a defence for one on ones with a keeper
But a team with a 352/343 like this could be great
Dubravka
Schar CB
Lascalles CB
Clark CB
Valentino RWB
Rose LWB
Bentaleb MF
Hayden/Longstaff MF
Almiron LWF
ASM RWF
Bowen Striker
Leaves out Joelinton at the moment but I think the way we play sucks teams in for a ball over the top to a striker/forward with movement and knows where to make a run
RobLeenio
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:43 AM
Comment #12bettys, surely you could have one 1st team coach and 1 U23s coach with each game, and Bruce keeping an eye on things looking out for emerging talent?
Just seems sensible to me, but then again I’m very far removed from being a professional football coach.
bettyswallocks
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:46 AM
Comment #13Jib………. I’m sorry to have to say that your comment @1 where you say we should sign Danny Rose as opposed to a striker just high lights your total ignorance in football matters. Who the kinell is going to score the goals we need.
That comment has left you open to more ridicule which I will refrain from administering other than to say you really are a complete know nowt wombat.
Jib
Jan 24, 2020 at 10:54 AM
Comment #14bettyswallocks
does that mean you disagree ?