Reflecting On The January Transfer Window

Last night wasn’t JUST about Newcastle progressing to the final of a major cup competition for the first time in the 21st Century, it was also the closure of the January transfer window.

Eddie Howe did manage to make a couple of additions to his squad, although some may think that he didn’t fill the one gap that needed filling. The club also managed to move a few players on, some on loan and a couple of permanent deals. So, let’s have a look at the main ones:

Incoming

Anthony Gordon: Brought in for £45m from Everton, Gordon is an exciting young prospect who can play anywhere across the front three. Only 21 years old he’s got a long career ahead of him but also has a lot to learn. His move was divisive amongst fans due to his temperament and propensity towards diving, but he got an outstanding reception last night when he took to the pitch at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe has a lot of faith in the lad and he hasn’t led us wrong yet.

Harrison Ashby: This one is super exciting. Another 21-year-old addition, a right back very much in the mould of Kieran Trippier. West Ham fans have had a meltdown on social media since the club let him go, so it definitely looks like we’ve got a baller on our hands.

Garang Kuol: This deal was done before the window opened and upon his arrival immediately joined Hearts on loan for the rest of the season. In his last game he missed a big chance for the Edinburgh club, but was man enough to admit to his mistake, he didn’t hide behind excuses. Seeing him play for Australia in the World Cup was enough to convince me that he’s going to be a star.

All in all, I’m happy enough with that window. I, like many other, would have liked to have seen another midfielder come in, especially given that we moved one on. But evidently, the right player wasn’t available and I’d rather not buy anyone than just buy someone for the sake of it. Our squad is doing excellent this season, and the summer will be our time to get the right players in.

Outgoing

Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvey both moved to Nottingham Forest on permanent deals. Moving on Wood was probably the right move for the club, he was a decent enough squad player but miles off the level we’re at now. Shelvey was the right move for his career. With his contract due to expire at Newcastle, moving on to a club willing to give him a longer contract than we were offering just makes sense.

Karl Darlow moved to Hull City on loan. Another move that just makes sense. We aren’t struggling for goalkeepers, so we had to let one of them go.

All in all it was a decent window. Could definitely have been better, but it wasn’t a total disaster. The summer is the one that matters to me. I expect there’ll be a huge overhaul of the squad in the summer, especially if we secure European football.

We did it – three hours of the Vital Podcast from 8pm until the transfer window shut at 11pm. We talked about all sorts of football-related goodness to pass the time as the window was largely uneventful. The highlights were the lads winding me up about the match as my feed was on a delay.