Newcastle need January reinforcements.
Posted on December 29th, 2010 | 18 Comments |
Part of the problem is strength in depth at Newcastle. We have a first eleven that can beat anyone on their day, but it’s when players are injured or suspended that we start to struggle.
Take yesterday for example. Jose Enrique was injured, and we had no real reliable backup to come in and cover him. Another example is Kevin Nolan. Love him or hate him, surely few can deny that he was missed yesterday. At least he would have affored Andy Carroll the luxury of having at least some support up front rather than having to burdon himself with everything regarding the team attacking the opposistion.
There is part of our problem. Potentially we have a good team, but a weak squad. The better teams have the squad to cope with the various injuries and suspensions that crop up throughout the season. This is something Newcastle need to emulate if they have aspirations of pushing up the league and steering clear of the relegation battle.
Still, there is a slight ray of hope suggesting that some of our concerns could be allayed in January with a couple of additions to the squad after Alan Pardew revealed that he will be backed by the board. First off, Pardew identified the problem:
“I think it’s evident that we could do with a couple of additions,” Pardew told The Northern Echo. “On its day, we have a team that can compete with anyone, we’ve proved that against some of the top teams in this division.
“But is there that competition and quality in all areas when other players have to come in? I thought James Perch did terrific at left-back, but he isn’t naturally left-footed and so we maybe lacked a little bit of balance down that left-hand side.”
“We couldn’t get Jonas in the game as much as we would have liked, and little things like that make a difference. We are looking at the market, and hopefully we can bring someone in.”
Good news, if true. I wouldn’t be expecting us to go on a massive spending spree though, and I think that others should prepare themselves for the same. As long as the sqaud is strengthened I don’t really care how much is spent. If they could do it on 50 pence I wouldn’t care as long as the end result left Newcastle United better equipped to compete in the Premier League. Pardew continued:
“I have the backing of the board, and I want to put that into place in terms of taking the club forward. We’ve secured Steven Taylor this week, which was very important, and there’s a no sale on Andy Carroll, which is probably the biggest and best news we’re going to have during the window. But hopefully we can add one or two as well.”
Football is a squad game, and whilst we are missing the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa, it is also hurting us that we don’t have the squad to cover. It’s not all doom and gloom of course. There are certain areas where the squad is fine for now, like in central midfield where we can pick from approximately 3,642 different options. I’m also failry happy with the centre of our defence aswell.
It’s creating the chances where we seem to be struggling, particularly creating chances from wide positions. As Pardew said, playing Perch on the left is less that ideal, but he actually had a fairly decent game. He gave Lennon a bit too much space once, and he paid the price for that, but he was otherwise pretty solid, much to my surprise. Thing is, again as Pardew said, it makes it hard to get Jonas in the game if the lad behind him is constantly struggling on his weaker foot.
Still, we’ve pretty much been told that there will be some activity, so I guess all we can do now is what and see.
Where would you strengthen?
crying out for pace and creativity!!
go for keane – can open up defences easily and can score! – yes he getting on abit but his class (if head is rite) would be great now!!
good shouts also for Krancjear and Larrson, we have to invest now to avoud being dragged into the relegation mix!
we cant afford that, we must pick up poinys and quickly