Newcastle's next new faces already being planned by Lee Ryder, Evening Chronicle
Jan 31 2013
NEWCASTLE UNITED have already moved on to the next phase of their recruitment drive after what has been hailed as a successful transfer window by Alan Pardew.
Pardew now believes that the dressing room spirit is ?greater? than at any other time of his 100-game tenure after an injection of new blood this month has resulted in part two of the season being dubbed The French Revolution by fans.
The Chronicle understands that United?s quest to add to their ranks this summer is already under way with their scouting network already assigned on missions in the coming months in France, Belgium and Holland.
United are already looking to the next window and unlike last summer, it is thought that Mike Ashley intends to bolster the squad with five or six signings for next season. That would take the year?s list of additions up to 11 players.
Near the top of that list is Ajax skipper Siem de Jong, but United will also bolster their attacking options with another striker with Nile Ranger set to be moved on and Spaniard Xisco also heading for the St James? Park exit.
But for now Pardew will work with his rejuvenated squad for the last 14 games of the Premier League campaign and try to push on to the latter stages of the Europa League.
The final day of the January transfer window today was a far cry from the summer?s last day of trading, when frustrated Geordie fans felt the squad wasn?t strong enough to compete in both Europe and on the domestic front.
Their worst fears were confirmed but United moved quickly this month to bring in Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Moussa Sissoko, Yoan Gouffran and Massadio Haidara. It means they will finish the window as one of the league?s biggest spenders.
A delighted Pardew told the Chronicle today: ?There?s great unity and the feeling amongst them in the dressing room was as great a feeling as I can remember at Newcastle, if I?m honest.
?These players weren?t brought in to take the plaudits.
?They?re here to help. That?s what they?re here for.
?They?re not here to save us ? they?re here to help.?
However, Pardew feels that keeping Fabricio Coloccini on board and the contributions of some of his stalwarts will be the key to success in the second half of the season.
He said: ?The real ones who are going to save us are Coloccini, Taylor, Krul and Shola Ameobi.
?They?re the ones that know how this club works.
?These guys came in and helped us.
?Sissoko and Yohan, and Mapou coming on, they helped us.
?And that?s exactly how we pencilled it in.?
United could tie up the signing of Swiss youngster Kevin Mbabu today but the player would be placed straight into the development ranks following a move from Servette.
The Magpies won?t prevent Xisco from leaving today if they receive the right package to remove him early from their wage bill.
Loan deals for fringe players like Sammy Ameobi, Shane Ferguson, James Tavernier and Jak Alnwick are also likely.
Alnwick was sent off along with along with Jamie Sterry on a nightmare day for United reserves yesterday.
The youngsters lost 3-0 to Reading with Massadio Haidara making his first outing for the club behind closed doors at Benton.
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