Well this is an odd feeling isn't it? A transfer window at Newcastle United littered with logic and common sense! Indeed the club's hand was forced following an alarming downturn in pre-season form, as well as the expected traditional injury crisis. However, every incoming transfer makes sense. Yes, we would have liked them through the door sooner to give them chance to gel in the squad before the big kick-off this coming Saturday, but given the way our business usually goes, we certainly aren't complaining.
Callum Wilson is not your archetype Newcastle United signing at 28-years-of age, however it's plain to see for all the desperate need for goals in this team and Wilson was a no-brainer. With the boyhood Midlander rejecting Aston Villa to come to the North-East making it all the more sweeter.
How much would a club have had to pay for Ryan Fraser last summer? £25-£30 million, maybe even more? Steve Bruce has got him tied down for his prime years for the best price of all... Free! Linking up with his former Bournemouth team-mates, Wilson and Matt Ritchie, the foundations are already there for a blossoming forward line, and that's before you added in the likes of Miggy Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin. If injury free, our forward line is exciting again, something that we've been missing for a number of years now.
Left-back is a part of the pitch that arguably hasn't had a permanent solution since Jose Enrique, although I was personally disappointed when the club needlessly disposed of Davide Santon. Numerous fans were calling for the return of Jetro Willems, and it's obvious why. The Dutchman clearly has unfinished business at St. James Park. But Jamal Lewis was being courted by Champions Liverpool earlier this summer; someone to be seen to give Andy Robertson genuine competition, whilst playing second fiddle.
The now former Norwich left-back was high on my list, but I was always of the opinion he was out of our stringent budget. What a pleasant surprise it was, seeing us part with £15million to land a left-back with such potential. I'm excited to see him in the black & white this season, linking up with the forward three behind Wilson. Dare I say, these are ambitious signings?
Keeping Matty Longstaff is a bonus, as it looked all the way the young NE29'er had had his head turned. Jeff Hendrick may not have been the most exciting signing in the world, but a free transfer to add much needed strength in depth, it again looks a shrewd move. How much would an international with over 100 Premier League appearances to his name normally cost? Plus Mark Gillespie replacing Rob Eliot is a decent move too, we all know he wont be playing 38 matches this season, but judging from his induction song seen on our socials, he seems a top lad to have around the dressing room.
Looking at our albeit small Twitter poll below, for a fan base that are constantly played out in the media to be demanding the world and everything in it, isn't it strange that we seemingly are chuffed with spending just £35million in a summer. It says a lot about our fan base, as Mike Ashley has not had to part with as much cash as he did last summer, but it has been spent far more shrewdly, and we've capitalised on free transfers, showing that its not the amount of money you spend, its how you spend it!
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