TheInfiniteOdyssey

Our squad depth

Don’t think it will be an issue from summer onwards, but our bench is actually horrific. Has to be one of the weakest in the league.

Transfer window looking very poor, no European side to loan a midfielder from? You can’t expect players to never lose form or pick up an injury.

I would love to see the club try and re-sign Mikel Merino, think he would add so much quality to our midfield.

6 I’m happy with all the signings we’ve made. Kuol, Gordon and Ashby all seem to be exciting young talents with a real desire to be a success at Newcastle. Crucially, they all seem to have really bought into Howe’s ethos, and as illustrated in their interviews all believe they can progress under his management. My concern is that going into the window, it seemed like a CM was a priority position to strengthen. However, at the end of the window, we’re actually weaker in that area. This concern is somewhat tempered by a recognition that the club and by extension recruitment is guided by a firm strategy, which will hopefully yield a positive outcome in the summer. I also think we’ve again let ourselves be messed about by other teams. Last year it was Man United with Lingard and this year it’s been Chelsea with Gallagher. From reports, it seems Chelsea were simply not willing to negotiate with us at any point in the window, so I’m not sure why we were still trying for their players, it comes across as naive to an external observer.

An unforgettable night for him, whatever happens in his Newcastle career, he’ll have this game and moment for the rest of his life. All credit to him and he deserves it.

Can’t believe it, we’re actually in a cup final. This means absolutely everything.

If Fraser leaves tomorrow, we’ve done a good job moving out some higher-earners this window. Ritchie, Clark, Dummett, Gillespie and Matty Longstaff all out of contract in the summer as as well.

Harsh like, but I’d be massively concerned if we were in a position where Anderson was starting any game in midfield for us the rest of the season. He doesn’t look ready yet for this level. I wouldn’t really count him as an option.

I thought our owners supposedly had a very good relationship with Chelsea’s? Doesn’t seem to be the case at all.

Dias has been well worth it for City though, not that bad of a fee either. The others are way more egregious.

Fulham may not be as interested now they’ve signed a midfielder from Torino today.

Chelsea are already committed on roughly £90m for Nkunku and Gusto in summer as well. Their combined £60m sponsorship for shirt (Three) and sleeve (some crypto company) are coming to an end this summer.

I can see Gallagher’s qualities as a midfielder, but my issue is that if he signed it would very much a case of a much of a muchness in that midfield. Willock, Longstaff to some extent have the same profile. Ideally, would want someone with a bit more guile on the ball. Neves perhaps, but he’s completely unobtainable.

If we were doing a loan with obligation to buy, I’d rather we signed Gallagher than Berge.

Gallagher has been getting regular game-time at Chelsea, it’s not like he’s not playing. Even if Fernandez joins, he will still play regularly.

Chelsea are going to have move players on if that Fernandez deal comes off, I just can’t see Gallagher or Loftus-Cheek here at all. I’d be incredibly surprised if they didn’t go to another team in London.

Can’t remember the exact source but think Cancelo and his partner really struggled to settle in Manchester. They were a victim of an armed burglary not too long ago either, which was bound to have an impact. Maybe Cancelo has just mentally checked-out at Man City and wants to go.

I don’t really get the idea of replacing Shelvey with Gallagher on loan, surely they’re both totally different profiles of midfielders? Obviously trust Ashworth and Howe etc.

I’ll miss him honestly, felt like that injury came at the worst possible time for him. Wish him all the best, he’s has some shocking games in a Newcastle shirt, but he’s also had some absolutely class moments as well. Seemed like he really loved the NE area as well.

Just remembered that hilarious challenge by Shelvey on him last year

Somewhat surprised Fraser isn’t involved in any deal as a makeweight.