Should We Be Relatively Content With Newcastle Being Relatively Content?

If the powers that be at Newcastle United are outraged about last season, then they are certainly doing a convincing job of concealing their disgust.

The widely reported early-summer rumblings are that Newcastle will augment its squad with a couple of signings — a striker and a center back — with quality being emphasized over quantity. Perhaps the strategy will change should a sizeable bid come in for the likes of Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa or any of the club's other so-called "prized assets."

By and large, though, Newcastle is portraying the image of a club that is relatively pleased with the tools at its disposal. Manager Alan Pardew has kept his job, with the club reiterating its desire for long-term stability. A widespread overhaul of the squad doesn't appear to be on the agenda, either. Neither does a rethink of the transfer blueprint.

It all seems somewhat strange for a team coming off a 16th-place finish in the Premier League, wouldn't you say?

Granted, you can make the case that Newcastle should improve even without major alterations this summer. Fans may have tired of hearing about the club's swollen injury list and involvement in the Europa League, but it's ludicrous to deny that both played significant roles in the team's underachieving season. We can reasonably expect that better luck in the training room (although, it must be said, that strength and durability don't seem to be major priorities in Newcastle's transfer scheming) and a less hectic schedule will lead to better Premier League performances.

Still, sitting back and banking on a regression to the mean seems like an awfully passive response when you consider the lifeless manner in which Newcastle plummeted into the relegation fight last season.

I can't blame the club for eschewing a total squad revamp, given the time, energy and money that's been invested in the current recruitment strategy. The group looks fairly strong on paper — although, it must be said, you would have thought the same thing at times last season — so a couple of tweaks, both in terms of personnel and on-field tactics, might just do the trick.

However, in light of last season's woes, Newcastle can't afford to behave tepidly during a summer in which Premier League TV money figures to be spent like never before. Operating under a "quality over quantity" philosophy is fine, provided the right players are signed — as opposed to simply the available and affordable ones. 

Two summers ago, Newcastle made bold decisions and brought in impact players who helped take the team to another level. Hopefully Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias will act in a similar spirit over the next 2½ months.

Comments

[Larry]

Season ticket holder from Hampshire i spend 30% of my income following toon stop being a tight wad ashley get Carroll and reme in

[jaeger]

i do think we will be better this year, definitely top 10 or bust.
if we net +2 first team players, a striker/left winger and central defender i think we will have plenty to choose from. gouffran can play central if needed to.

question though....what do you think of a 4-3-3 more so? just have to find a spot to put marveaux or if we stick to the current formation who to put in the CAM(and if it is HBA, who plays on the right)

--gouffran--cisse----HBA
sissoko---tiote----cabaye--

[rob]

It is such an unusual situation because, when everyone is healthy, we do have quite a bit of depth at nearly all positions. I think Vuckic could be a nice surprise next season if he can stay healthy and live up to his potential. A left-footed winger and a central defender would be nice as well as a striker that is willing to do the ugly work and has a nose for goal.

[Tom]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

It is tricky - how do you factor in Vuckic, Marveaux and Ben Arfa when you know there's a decent chance you won't be able to rely on any of them week in, week out? I'd love to see Vuckic given a chance at some point at the top of the midfield in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1, but the guy just can't stay healthy. I feel like that's Marveaux's best position, too ... but again, the guy can't play more than a few games in a row without his hamstring or groin flaring up.