It seems that Newcastle United are just two games away from a revival, or two losses away from another crisis at St. James’ Park. On the whole, it’s been a rather miserable season for the Magpies despite their £50m recruitment drive over the summer.
Still, this Premier League season is hard to call and they are by no means certain to face the drop. In fact, they have shown signs of quality this term and perhaps just need a bit of transfer market tinkering.
The January window becomes vitally important for everyone connected to the Toon Army as they look to retain their status in the top tier. Reports suggest they will in fact be active in the New Year sales, and as you might expect, a raft of names have already been linked with a move.
The £13.5m arrival of Aleksandar Mitrovic hasn’t worked out as planned just yet. The club clearly need another marksman to fire them to safety, while moves for wingers and defenders have also been touted as real possibilities.
So, what would Newcastle United ideally look like after the January window, using a 4-2-3-1 formation?
ROB ELLIOT
In the most ideal of ideal worlds, Tim Krul would be between the sticks, though the Dutchman is a long term casualty. In his place, Irish ‘keeper Rob Elliot has shone and surely emerged as a serious rival to his fallen teammate.
With excellent displays against Bournemouth and Spurs keeping his side in the game, Elliot has allayed fears that he is not of the required to mind the net at St. James’ Park. Though the Toon have shipped goals this season, it’s largely down to a calamitous defence.
DARYL JANMAAT
Daryl Janmaat has been one of the few shining lights of the Newcastle season. The Dutch international is a constant attacking threat as he supports Moussa Sissoko on the right flank.
Though he’s not quite as good defensively as he is going the other way, the 26-year old is a wonderful outlet on the counter and one of the few leaders in the side.
In a team that often struggles to score, he’s a surprising threat in front of goal. Having notched twice this term, the former Feyenoord man is actually the joint fourth highest scorer the club can boast.
CHANCEL MBEMBA
DR Congo international defender Chancel Mbemba has played in an utterly inept backline for large parts of the season, though the summer arrival from Anderlecht has shown glimpses of real quality.
The 21-year old has the raw attributes to be a top quality centre-half. A few shaky moments are to be expected, especially when paired with Fabricio Coloccini for most of the season. Still, he’s extremely athletic and able to bring the ball out of defence.
His recovery pace is a wonderful asset to have in a relegation battle, and he can only go from strength to strength.
JOEL MATIP
Linked with a move over the summer, Joel Matip has once again been touted with a move to St. James’ Park in recent weeks. The Cameroonian defender would be a huge improvement on skipper Fabricio Coloccini in the heart of defence, though his recent performances have improved.
The 24-year old is quick and aggressive, everything the man he could potentially replace has not been for swathes of this season. A front footed defender, he is also able to bring the ball out of defence and possesses a formidable technique.
Crucially, he makes around 3.4 interceptions per every 90 mins of Bundesliga action, which could strengthen Steve McClaren’s rearguard.
PAUL DUMMETT
Though there’s certainly room for improvement on current Toon left-back Paul Dummett, perhaps that is something to address in the summer. There are more pressing needs to tend to within the ranks, and the Welsh international isn’t as bad as he’s often viewed.
In the wins over Liverpool and Spurs, the academy graduate was excellent. In stark comparison to Daryl Janmaat on the opposing flank, he’s a more of an assured presence when facing his own goal.
With Massadio Haidara nearing a return, and Kevin Mbabu impressing against Chelsea earlier this season, funds should be directed elsewhere in the side.
JONJO SHELVEY
The England international has been linked with a move to the North East for a while now, and would represent a great signing this January.
He’s had his ups and downs since leaving Liverpool, though the 23-year old has been impressive on the whole with Swansea. Comfortable on the ball, his distribution is to be marvelled at times, whether it be a long ball or a more intricate eye of needle attempt.
Not only this, the former Charlton youngster brings a physicality to a side that often crumbles. He’s an imposing figure in the middle of the park, battling for possession before starting attacks from deep. While he’s not the typical ‘destroyer’, he would surely add more to the side than Vurnon Anita.
JACK COLBACK
Jack Colback is at times the beating heart of this Newcastle side. Despite his past with Sunderland, the 26-year old has emerged as a fan favourite at St. James’ Park since his switch from their bitter rivals.
Though he’s prone to pick up needless yellow cards, the red haired Geordie is excellent on the ball to dictate the tempo of a game.
As a deep-lying playmaker, the England hopeful offers a fine mix of passing, as well as preventing teams hitting the Toon on a counter with his ability to read the game.
MOUSSA SISSOKO
Moussa Sissoko is simply one of Newcastle’s best players when he performs to the best of his ability. His marauding runs up the right-flank are comparable to those of Yaya Toure’s in his heyday. However, that day doesn’t roll around too often right now.
Still, the Frenchman is one of McClaren’s key players as he battles to beat the drop. A powerful, imposing presence, if he can find his best form on a more regular basis, they have perhaps the best attacker in the relegation battle plying his trade for the North East giants.
At his best this term, the French international has tracked back to reclaim possession, before dragging his team forward with his dynamic running. Former England coach McClaren should focus on coaxing the best out of the former Toulouse man rather than attempting to replace him.
ALAN DZAGOEV
Russian playmaker Alan Dzagoev has recently been linked with a move to the Magpies, and if he’s available, should certainly be acquired. The 25-year old schemer has a fine pedigree with his national side, finishing joint top scorer at Euro 2012.
Given a free role behind the striker, the CSKA Moscow star is able to create chances out of nothing while floating across the frontline. Having already notched four goals this season, while largely playing further back in the engine room, he clearly has an eye for goal.
Adding a player of his immense quality may be a risk for team battling the drop, but it could be a gamble worth taking. Ayoze Perez is a wonderful talent, but has lost his starting place in the side and continues to be linked with a move away. The Siem De Jong experiment hasn’t really worked, creating a problem position for McClaren.
Signing a Russian international of such quality could be a gamble worth taking.
GIORGINO WIJNALDUM
£14m signing Giorgino Wijnaldum has been a fantastic signing this season amid a summer of transfer flops. The Dutch international is a truly excellent player, scoring seven times already this year and adding another two assists.
The 25-year old is a supreme technician, mixing his ability with a tenacious quality to win the ball back and score goals. Though he’s largely been operating on the left in recent weeks, giving him a free role is mitigated by his high work rate.
By pitting him alongside a creator like Dzagoev, McClaren could potentially field a frontline many teams above the Toon would be more than envious about.
LOIC REMY
Charlie Austin is the name most paired with Newcastle as they search for a new forward, but Chelsea striker Loic Remy would surely be a better option. Austin is a poacher, but a team like the Magpies in their current state require a lot more.
Remy offers pace to run in behind defences, crucial when on the counter. He might not be the most popular of figures on Tyneside after his loan spell ended in acrimonious circumstances, but the fact is, the 27-year old would be a fine addition.
Mobile and deadly in front of goal, he will be determined to land a place in the French squad ahead of Euro 2016.