Fixing Newcastle’s squad will be no small feat, but not as bad as many think. It’s a completely different side if you take into account the players who are permanently injured, such as Kieron Dyer, Damien Duff and Michael Owen. It remains to be seen whether Sam proceeds with these players in mind or assume they’ll be off or unreliable – we’re leaning towards the former considering Allardyce’s reliance on fit, strong players. The club actually have more talent up front and in midfield than most Premiership sides – what’s missing is solidity, consistency, and anyone who resembles a defender.
With silly season well underway in terms of transfer rumours, Big Sam has resumed normal business by putting his affairs out in public for all to see,
“We’ve already had lots of meetings and talked about future plans for new players here,” Allardyce told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
“Those talks are continuing, and we are close to making a breakthrough in the not-too-distant future.”
So with the first few players on the way to St. James’ Park there are plenty of names being bandied about – Derek Boateng, Bolton’s Tal Ben Haim, Manchester City’s Joey Barton, West Brom’s Curtis Davies.
But are these the right players to be pursuing? Worthy of a supposed Big Club with a Big Budget? Has Sam got it wrong already, who should be Newcastle’s first couple of new names?