BENDTNER OR SOMEONE LIKE HIM

My co-blogger Tom was on the handle of the official I Wish I Was A Geordie tweet (@NUFC_US) last night when he got a Twitteroasting for suggesting "I think Bendtner could be a nice signing. Young and has a chip on his shoulder to prove he's a top striker." After his cyber-spanking Tom clarified, "I certainly wouldn't advocate blowing a ton of cash on him."

I wouldn't either. But here's the deal with strikers: You can spend £20 million on one, or you can spend £8 million on one that might turn out to be worth £20 million. Newcastle United isn't in the £20-million-striker club. So it's essential to shop that other category, and I agree with Tom: Nicklas Bendtner is in it. In fact, I would say he's a classic representation of that category.

Newcastle United can't afford a striker who comes without risk. What Newcastle United can afford is a 23-year-old with world-class talent who's had some bad breaks. Someone who has a few character issues that will put off rival suitors and lower the bill. Someone who takes a "how big an asshole am I" test from an Arsenal psychologist and scores 10 on a scale of 9. Granted, we all know that Newcastle never touches a player with character flaws. Never ever.

As the clock ticks to kickoff today against Birmingham, it might do Newcastle fans well to recall what Nicklas Bendtner looked like when he got a consistent chance to play, on loan in a Birmingham strip. He'd get that same chance in Newcastle United's new 2012 formalwear. It's a chance worth taking. On Bendtner or someone like him.