Newcastle United could do with a bit of extra firepower to get them through the rest of this season as goals have been oddly difficult to come by all of a sudden.
Last season Newcastle were free-scoring and were reminiscent of the Kevin Keegan days, but this season it seems that everyone has forgotten the object of the game is so get the round thing into the rectangular netted thing.
It hasn't helped matters that Eddie Howe has only had one striker to pick from most of the season as he doesn't believe that new signing Will Osula is ready, while Callum Wilson has been crocked.
Wilson is now back in the side which should hopefully alleviate the burden put upon Alexander Isak and give Howe a second option.
However, the question on fans' lips is, how long will Wilson last before he's unavailable again? It's therefore a pressing need that Newcastle bring in a new striker in the next couple of windows.
There was hope that a long-term target would be available for loan in January. Evan Ferguson has fallen down the pecking order at Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler, and it was believed that he could be keen on a temporary move away to get more minutes.
However, Hurzeler has now moved to shut down that idea (via TeamTalk) saying that Ferguson is an important part of the team and has been told, like all of his players, to accept his current role.
Hurzeler admits that he remembers from his playing days that it's tough when you're not playing, but demands his players don't complain and remain ready at all times while dashing Newcastle's hopes of a cheeky loan move.
“I don’t know from where this information comes because I said to Evan that I am happy he is here with the team.
“I am happy how he is training, what shape he is in physically, mentally. Of course, he is a young player and needs game time.
“That is the same thing I demand from all the players: accept your role and don’t complain.
“You can be disappointed if you’re not playing – I was the same as a player, it’s normal and should be like this – but accept your role and make sure you bring yourself in the mood and the shape that, when you get the chance, you are ready."
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
12 | 16 | 31 |
2 |
Manchester City
|
12 | 5 | 23 |
3 |
Chelsea
|
12 | 9 | 22 |
4 |
Arsenal
|
12 | 9 | 22 |
5 |
Brighton
|
12 | 5 | 22 |
6 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
12 | 14 | 19 |
7 |
Nottingham Forest
|
12 | 2 | 19 |
8 |
Aston Villa
|
12 | 0 | 19 |
9 |
Fulham
|
12 | 0 | 18 |
10 |
Newcastle United
|
12 | 0 | 18 |
11 |
Brentford
|
12 | 0 | 17 |
12 |
Manchester United
|
12 | 0 | 16 |
13 |
Bournemouth
|
12 | -1 | 15 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
12 | -4 | 15 |
15 |
Everton
|
12 | -7 | 11 |
16 |
Leicester
|
12 | -8 | 10 |
17 |
Wolves
|
12 | -8 | 9 |
18 |
Ipswich
|
12 | -10 | 9 |
19 |
Crystal Palace
|
12 | -7 | 8 |
20 |
Southampton
|
12 | -15 | 4 |