Late last night, Newcastle touched down in Saudi Arabia, and here is some footage of them arriving at the airport. Both Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi have joined the lads and coaching staff on the week-long trip.
#nufc have arrived in KSA ?? pic.twitter.com/I97jmobm5w
— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) January 23, 2022
Newcastle will play a friendly against Saudi Arabian-based club Al Ittihad FC on January 28th. They are top of the Saudi Pro League by 5 points with a match in hand. They play at the 62,000 capacity King Abdullah International Stadium.
Newcastle are still working on at least four deals with alternatives also under consideration. Time is winding down on this window and there is much work to be done to strengthen this squad for the season’s second half.
Burnley picked up a massive point on Sunday at Arsenal. Their backline was simply sensational in preventing The Gunners from finding a breakthrough in what was a pivotal fixture for both clubs.
Here is how the bottom end of the table looks at the moment with Burnley having three matches in hand on Newcastle.
| Club | Matches | Goal Difference | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Leicester | 37 | 0 | 49 |
| 10 | Brighton | 37 | -4 | 48 |
| 11 | Brentford | 37 | -7 | 46 |
| 12 | Newcastle | 37 | -19 | 46 |
| 13 | Palace | 37 | 3 | 45 |
| 14 | Villa | 37 | -1 | 45 |
| 15 | Southampton | 37 | -21 | 40 |
| 16 | Everton | 37 | -19 | 39 |
| 17 | Burnley | 37 | -18 | 35 |
| 18 | Leeds | 37 | -38 | 35 |
The hope is to make some significant progress on our top targets in the coming days. Deals are being worked for Diego Carlos, Jesse Lingard, and Mitchel Bakker. The news has gone a bit quiet recently on Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata but hopefully, a move for the 30-year-old is still in play.
Craig Hope, with The Mail, didn’t name Zapata in his review of 14 potential targets yesterday. Though he did name Mario Balotelli who has recently come back into the Italian national team after his recent performances for Demirspor in Turkey.
There were some reports emerging yesterday that Newcastle were in the race for two bargain signings in Derby midfielder Tom Lawrence and Livingstone center-back Jack Fitzwater. Though they seem to be strange links as Newcastle should be able to land higher quality players.
TEAMtalk is reporting that Newcastle are tracking the 28-year-old Lawrence, who is out of contract in the summer. His productivity this season has been impressive with 8 goals and 3 assists in 24 Championship appearances. Wolves, Brighton, and Burnley are also credited with an interest.
The Mail is reporting that Newcastle, Burnley, and Watford are interested in the 24-year-old Fitzwater, who has 18-months left on his contract with Livingstone. The former West Brom Academy product is valued at just £1m.
After a quiet weekend on the transfer front, Newcastle need some progress early this week. Bringing in at least one top center-back, Jesse Lingard or Dele Alli, Mitchel Bakker, and maybe another striker would represent a very good winter window.
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37 comments so far
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:23 AM
Comment #1Firstly I’ll take first 😀
Secondly I’ll spare the repost.
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:24 AM
Comment #2In the Lingard or Alli conversation, I’d prefer Lingard but Alli would be a good addition still.
Both are players who are capable of getting between the lines and operating in those spaces linking with the attacker(s). Both are capable of unlocking a defence and showing that bit of extra technical ability in the final 3rd. Not just head down and run.
There are obviously better playmakers out there who boaster better assists etc. But both of these guys would offer us something different further up the pitch and be an upgrade in my opinion.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:29 AM
Comment #3Lingard, aye.
Alli, mmmm, no sure what he’d bring, he’s not the most urgent player. Not unlike shelvey. Dwells in the ball, he does draw fouls, but that’s cheating imv, and he does have some skill. Just not sure if he’s what we need. Buying players ‘cos we can, or ‘cos they fit…the latter, please.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:31 AM
Comment #4Adamn_92,
You’re talking about the old Delle Alli who played for England, this new Insta Alli and his funky do has downed tools for three different managers. Can you think of a player who has regressed so much then be reborn at a different club.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:41 AM
Comment #5Blog Meisters.
A post in the ridiculous use or non-use, misuse of var may be in order…
Some external pressure needs putting on the fa/pl ’til they stop with the favouritism of the usual bunch.
Oh!
…and what wad the ‘punishment’ fir the snide 6 breakaway league…
… it’s all gone quiet over there…
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:41 AM
Comment #6Jail
Yeah that’s the Alli I mean, the old exciting one. If there’s a chance of seeing that again it’s be great. But I see it as risk free anyway. If we get that Alli then it’s fantastic. If not then we are no worse off than we were before be signed him. I don’t for a second believe he was our main target for that attacking midfielder role, so if he signs it likely means he was the best we could get for the role. So it’s not like we chose him over others and there’s a small chance he comes good.
If he doesn’t come good, we’re no worse off anyway.
kilcline
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:43 AM
Comment #7Really hope we sign Bakker, closest I have seen to Robertson. Be huge for us
Regan
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:43 AM
Comment #8Alli would be a half decent addition imo..
He’s an expert at drawing fouls from opposition teams..
Get him playing on the edge of the box for the last half hour then let tripps or shelves have a chance on goal..
Worth a punt on loan surely. .
CLINT FLICK
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:44 AM
Comment #9Adamn
But if we buy his services, we’ll feel compelled to use them. Potentially playing with 10, as so often under ghing.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:45 AM
Comment #10*thing
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:48 AM
Comment #11Clint
That’s if we sign him, could just as easily be a loan.
I think some fans seem to think Howe won’t drop players but that isn’t the case. Ritchie was performing badly at left back and the moment Lewis was fit and available, Ritchie got dropped. So if Alli did play well, I don’t think Howe would blindly keep playing him.
Guess the only way to tell is if he does join and then we can judge his performances and go from there 🙂
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:49 AM
Comment #12*didn’t play well
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:51 AM
Comment #13I’m not sure Adamn_92. Someone has to be left out of the squad to bring him in. I’ll plump for Jeff Hendrick for an example who may (or may not) be very popular in the dressing room. Delle Alli rocks up here and it’s apparent he only came for a change of scenery in the night clubs. Is it not going to cause a rift in the dressing room knowing the mess we’re in and a player who has a growing bad rep has sent a player to the reserves to accommodate him. All hypothetical of course and it’ll be up to Eddie H to interview him and decide if he’s a good fit. Not my first choice though.
Shot Bru
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:52 AM
Comment #14Delle Alli would be a step backwards.
The modern game has been littered with players like him over the years.
For me, Alli is in the same mould as Owen and Rodwell, modern day footballing mercenaries that we should stay well clear of.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:52 AM
Comment #15Adamn
Buy/loan, it makes no odds.
We’ll still feel compelled.
Bottom 3, mate…we need players all-in.
Can Alli contribute?
Maybe.
…and if we took that chance, I’d support him… Just think we need speed, guile, action, drive and skill… it’s what the team is missing smack in the middle.
TheTinman
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:55 AM
Comment #16Dele Ali has always been overrated. Offers very little other than a goal threat coming late into the box. He’s like a lazier Willock.
Even when he first came to the league he was scoring 1 in 100 goals week after week. Elements of skill but huge slices of luck. It was only a matter of time before he declined.
Could be akin to someone like Cisse for us, who was scoring worldie week after week when he first joined.
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:56 AM
Comment #17Jail/Clint
He wouldn’t be my first choice, don’t get me wrong. Like I’ve already said I’d prefer Lingard. But if we signed him, I can only assume it’s because we couldn’t get other targets in. So the alternative would be nobody brought in. Is that the better alternative, signing nobody?
We’d have to trust Howe’s judgement that he feels Alli would work hard and not be disruptive at all. When the alternative is signing nobody, I’d take the punt on Dele.
the crown princes nashers
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:58 AM
Comment #18id give alli a go because of a few things, 1 eddie howe is english and so is his staff, second trippier hes played with him and knows him well, think with that in mind it could very well work out considering when was the last time spuds had an english manager
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:58 AM
Comment #19Adamn_92,
Fingers crossed we get the big Jessie then 😀
Adamn_92
Jan 24, 2022 at 8:59 AM
Comment #20Jail
That’s definitely what I’m hoping for!
CLINT FLICK
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:04 AM
Comment #21Aye
I’m with raj, too.
Let’s hope lingard signs.
I’m all for giving players a chance to change/show their worth) turn over a new leaf, but not at the expense of pl status. Cos no one else was available.
kilcline
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:04 AM
Comment #22Alli is good at keeping the ball and bringing others into play, possession is one thing we still lack. Would take him on loan, you never know, 52,000 fans behind him and he finds his level again.
he had a knack of scoring important winning goals, something in tight games is vital.
Wor B
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:06 AM
Comment #23Big Jessies…..IN
Delle Allis……OOT
Sorry, had a Mr Tuff episode there.
😳
TheTinman
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:07 AM
Comment #24I’ll reiterate my comments from match day since they probably got lost in the hoo haa on here over the weekend.
Schar man of the match. I thought he was everywhere. Cool calm and collected on the ball.
Shelvey and Willock were very close though. Shelvey especially worked extremely hard. Willock did great at relieving pressure with lung busting runs right through to the end, but at times I still found him a little lazy defensively.
Lascelles and Manquillo deserve credit for their cameos, I thought both were excellent whilst on the pitch.
Trippier is absolute class. Quality defender. Timing of the challenge is a thing of beauty, positioning for aerial duels is amazing and his gile on the ball is superb.
Dubravka has quietly went about making two massive 1v1 saves in the last two games without stepping a foot wrong otherwise. Worth mentioning.
Fraser was an absolute workhorse and linked a lot better with Trippier this time, by moving inside and giving Tripps more space. He played an almost perfect pass through to Wood. His scuffed shot was unfortunate but the pass was underhit by ASM.
Wood did his job well. Worked tirelessly and supported us in defence with a couple of big headers away late on. Was unlucky not to latch onto Frasers cross, the defender made a great last ditch challenge when Maxi knocked it down but he should have been gambling when Meslier spilled it.
Wood must be pulling his hair out with Maxi mind, the service from him was non existent, particularly in the first half. But Maxi came into the game and was unlucky not to have a pen. I did notice Maxi and Fraser were a lot closer to Wood, which worked far better.
Leeds are dirty. One moment I don’t think I’ve seen mentioned was when someone was down injured. Dummet played it out for a Leeds throw around the halfway line when we had good controlled possession. Instead of passing it back to us like every other team they knocked it out for a throw, knowing they could press us and have a good chance of winning it back. Very subtle moment but spotted by TheTinman. Disgusting dirty bar stewards.
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:08 AM
Comment #25Honestly, I’m not fussed if it’s Alli, Lingard, or Ramsey or even two of those. They all absolutely have the ability to be massive players for us so I leave it down to Howe and the team to decide if they also have the mental attitude too.
Shelvey had one good game but we could still do with more attacking threat from the centre. I do agree that a centre back and more defensively minded central midfielder are very important, despite the clean sheet against Leeds.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:10 AM
Comment #26Tinman
Excellent synopsis!
Agree.
Regan
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:10 AM
Comment #27“Disgusting dirty barstewards”
Always have been….always will be..
magscar
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:14 AM
Comment #28On Alli i don’t think we are in any position tp take a gamble on a player whose attitude form and performance levels seem to have dropped so much that he could no lomger get regularly into a Spurs side under 3 managers
Now if Howe or somone close to him has a different inside view then i will happily bow to that but we are now looking basically for players up for a scrap and not any show ponies
kilcline
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:14 AM
Comment #29Does anyone think we will break our transfer record this week?
ToonDarnSarf
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:16 AM
Comment #301 week and a few hours to go. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we end up getting a couple of players on transfer deadline day…
Swablr
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:17 AM
Comment #31With only just a week to go in the window, and the ongoing tsunami of links to players supposedly on our radar, have we actually had any approaches from other clubs for any of our players? Or is this another example of us getting “cold-shouldered” in the vain hope that it might contribute to our eventual demise?
the crown princes nashers
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:18 AM
Comment #32should have seen leeds in the back end of the 60s and 70s very very dirty team then by the looks of it nothings changed
DrGloom
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:19 AM
Comment #33Alli would be a terrible signing , by all accounts his attitude stinks which would be terrible for dressing room , he has less quality than people are saying who seem to have been watching his highlights reel rather than the last four or five seasons , we don’t have a Son nor a Kane to help him out and he’s definitely not what we want in our current relegation battle predicament
TheTinman
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:21 AM
Comment #34If you watch the Spurs documentary on Amazon you will see who Alli is. Everything is a joke to him. Mourinho gave him every chance possible and explained to him what he needs. But he just couldn’t manage to apply himself for more than 2 weeks.
CLINT FLICK
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:23 AM
Comment #35The crown
Tbf, every team was dorty back then.
See the state of the pitches, too. Dorty!
The board’s of most clubs, dorty!
Wor B
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:25 AM
Comment #36Swablr
The players we would be prepared to let go are championship level but on prem wages. I can see us having to box clever in the next few years or have players sitting out contracts.
Swablr
Jan 24, 2022 at 9:27 AM
Comment #37Wor B…yep!