Transfer Strategy Change

[Jammy89]

Seen that our new DoF has said we need to change transfer tack, and referenced Thaiw deal as an example.

To me that suggest we're going to start shopping abroad more.

Which makes sense when every prem club adds about ?20 million onto any player we look at.

We've also really expanded our scouting presences in Brazil, so I reckon we'll be looking there a fair bit.

[Zippity]

At which point do we start to question the ?100 million we paid for two players, one of which we don't play and the other who is shit when we do play him?

[Curian]

I reckon we need to give them a season before deciding. Gordon was not that brilliant first season if I recall. Barnes was hit and miss. Settling in period and adapting to Eddie's style and so on. So, for me not yet.

[HughieG]

At which point do we start to question the ?100 million we paid for two players, one of which we don't play and the other who is shit when we do play him?

Which players are you referencing, Zip?

[Jammy89]

I reckon we need to give them a season before deciding. Gordon was not that brilliant first season if I recall. Barnes was hit and miss. Settling in period and adapting to Eddie's style and so on. So, for me not yet.

I'd agree with this.

I think Elanga comes good personally - we're just asking him to change his entire way of playing and that takes times. Especially when you're not starting every game.

[Zippity]

Which players are you referencing, Zip?

We spent almost ?100 million on Ramsey and Elanga, Hughie.

With the best will in the world, at the minute, it looks like disastrous business.

[toptoon]

Eddie was talking up Ramsey today. We need to give it some time for both.

[Ragatino]

both lads Elanga and Ramsey were purchased at the right age. Both under 25 and still have a lot of potential to fulfil, whilst also showing they can perform at Premier League level with Forest and Villa respectively.

2 seasons ago the vast majority of the fan base were fuming at the 'money wasted' on Hall and Liveramento. Today the same fans are paranoid about losing these same two lads to competitors as they are in the first names on the team sheet.

Not to say that Elanga and Ramsey will go on to be as invaluable to the team as our two young fullbacks but in a world of instant gratification it's easy to write things off when comparing them to others who have hit the ground running.

Going more in to detail.

People need to remember Ramsey is just 24 yrs old.
Ramsey was a Villa lad, he joined Villa ages 6. 18 yrs the training ground and club must have felt like home, not to mention living around his friends and family in the midlands. Moving up to the Toon, no matter how well adjusted that's a big shift for some people.

The early ankle injury certainly didn't help. He looked very lively and carried a threat in that early showing before the injury. It's clear he's a talented ambitious young man who will no doubt have a great career at the club.

Elanga - 23 yrs old.
Elanga was electric against Barcelona. The lad is apparently having some challenges with his personal life. Wife's heavily pregnant. Those with kids will understand the psychology of the average 3rd trimester female. Some women have particularly difficult pregnancies. I can only imagine what that situation must be like when your day to day job is competing at the elite level of Football in the worlds most challenging and competitive league.

Getting up, fighting traffic, get to the office or heading to site to build a studio is bad enough. Having to be 'On It' in training after 3 hrs over night in the hospital with the missus, getting just 2 or 3 hrs sleep is gonna be a nigh-on impossible.

These young men need to afforded a bit of patience and support to enable them to flourish. Yes, a lot of money was spent but they've both got the experience at young ages Ramsey 137 appearances for Villa & 6 for the Toon so far whilst Elanga has 113 for the filth and Forest combined and 14 outings in B&W thus far.

It's all there for both of them to have very successful careers at Newcastle.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water just yet chaps.

[Ragatino]

Continuing on from the above.

I am pleased to see the club spreading their recruitment net wider and looking for value on the continent and further a field.

Mitchell also wanted to do this but I get the feeling his 'not fit for purpose' comments were related to the stringent 'No d**k head' policy and Eddie Howe's insistence on knowing the players character rather than signing from over season.

The myth that Howe only wanted 'Prem Players' is just another dumb, lazy, factually incorrect slight aimed at the manager by the bedwetting 'Howe Out Brigade'.

Bruno, Sandro, Sven, 14, Thiaw, Woltemade.

Here is 5 key players and 14 that prove the contrary. Our Club captain FFS is a Brazilian signed from France in one of the first major actions Eddie took in the market.

Sandro from Italy in a key summer before the UCL as our marque signing, not a Prem Option even considered.

14 - Spain. Not English, No Prem experience.

Thiaw & Woltemade in the last window for the 2 key positions the club needed to cover.

Going forward, We're looking at some tasty young Brazilian talent direct from the motherland, fresh off the boat signing at more cost effective transfer fees has to be applauded should the club succeed in those transfers.

I'm all for it. As is the manager by all accounts.

[Jammy89]

On this note - We've just announced a new scout over-seeing all Brazilan scounting.

Worked with Wilson at Forest apperently.