Where do Newcastle need to strengthen?

It has been a season that would very soon be forgotten by the Newcastle faithful. So has been the performance of the team in the 2012-13 campaign. What has made it doubly disappointing is the fact that Newcastle finished the 2011-12 season on a real high, finishing 5^th, just 4 points of 4^th place which all things being equal could have qualified for a Champions League place.

The 2012-13 season on the back of a splendid season before that was a real write off, where Newcastle were embroiled in a relegation scrap. Some it was down to tactics and some of it was down to the small Newcastle squad which after the departures of players like Danny Guthrie, Leon Best, Peter Lovenkrands, Fraser Forster and Alan Smith was only reinforced by Vurnon Anita.

In fact that has been admitted by the club’s top brass as a big mistake, a mistake that could have had catastrophic repercussions for the club. It is understood that the club is determined not to make the same mistake again and could strengthen well in the summer. So, the question is where do Newcastle need to strengthen to make sure that they are well equipped to do well and reclaim a place in Europe. Also bear in mind that players like Danny Simpson, Steve Harper and may be even Fabricio Coloccini have played their last games for the club.

Let’s start from the back.

Goalkeeper – Tim Krul is undoubtedly Newcastle’s number 1 goalkeeper, with Rob Eliott, his deputy. With the retirement of Harper there is a need for a goalkeeper; Jak Alnwick should be ready to play that role, he is a youth international for England and will be 20 come the start of next season. So, I don’t think there is a need for a new goalkeeper unless we sell anyone.

Defence – As iterated Danny Simpson is gone and may be followed by Coloccini and Mike Williamson, who is yet to convince the Geordies. So there is a need for a full back that can cover at right back or if club intends to use Santon as a right back then a Left back is needed. In addition the club needs one or may be two center backs depending on who goes out.

Midfield – Whatever happens in this area somewhat depends on what the manager has in his mind regarding the formation he would prefer playing. If he wants to play a 4-4-2 then there is a need for a couple of wingers. Jonas Gutierrez cannot be classified as a winger anymore; Marveaux and Gouffran are not wingers and Obertan has not delivered consistently. A different formation, say a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 should see Newcastle in hunt for the attacking players, those who can create as well as score. Club looks well stocked with central midfielders so may be one winger and one player who can play as a number 10 or attacking midfielder should do.

Strikers – Honestly speaking there is only one striker currently at Newcastle United football club; that being Papiss Cisse. Shola Ameobi is his competition and that is frankly, not good enough. Newcastle need to bring in at least one proven striker and one who is on his way and can hold his own in the Premier League. Adam Campbell needs to be loaned out so that he is ready for Premier League for seasons after next.

So, in my opinion there is a need to bring in about 4-5 players this summer and that changes if we get an offer for a player and he moves on. We need a net of 4-5 players to make sure we don’t have the excuse of tiredness for us losing or not achieving the desired result. This may change if any youngsters can make the breakthrough at the club.

Let’s hope come pre-season we have the squad to mount a serious challenge for the targets that we have set ourselves for the upcoming season.