Let’s have a look at what you could have won

The title above is my favourite phrase, with thanks to Jim Bowen.

The losing finalists on the classic 1980s Bullseye were invited to see what they could have won when they missed out on the star prize.

I used to love it when they lost.

Back to Newcastle United though and the present day.

The mid-season transfer window has now closed.

The question is, did Newcastle United lose and what could we have realistically ‘won’?

Newcastle United have a starting 11 of:

Pope
Tino Thiaw Botman Hall
Bruno Tonali Joelinton
Barnes Wissa Gordon

I am looking at that team and thinking those are Eddie Howe’s players.

Eddie’s choices and he is very very loyal.

I see two places up for grabs : keeper and centre-forward.

We have Aaron Ramsdale as back up, so there was no way we were getting a goalkeeper in this last transfer window, who Eddie Howe thinks is better than Nick Pope. That’s for the summer.

When it comes to centre-forwards, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jorgen Strand Larsen were available. Hardly inspiring and probably not getting in ahead of Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, although I do rate Mateta.

In addition, we might find getting a goalscorer a lot easier this coming summer, as most of those lovely top clubs all got themselves one or two new forwards last summer, as we know to our cost. Can’t think any of those clubs will be after a keeper either.

To then paraphrase Jim Bowen; “I’d like you to consider a gamble, your money is safe”, maybe this has been applied to us? Keep the money and don’t gamble.