No time to dither in transfer market

ST JAMES' CHIEFS MUST GO BACK TO WHAT THEY DID BEST

- JOHNGIBSON

MANY theories have been forthcoming about Newcastle United’s snail-like progress in the transfer market with their ambitious targets being repeatedly hijacked by the supposed elite.

One of the most persuasive is that United are fishing in a much bigger pool these days chasing established stars and therefore forced to compete against the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea who have the lure of recent European and Premier League achievements plus city location on their side.

It was not thus, we're told, when the Saudis and Amanda along with their shiny new manager Eddie Howe first entered the jungle with the sole intention of seeing off United's bogeyman - the constant fear of relegation.

It is easy to follow such a train of thought and, yes, it can be argued that there could be something in it.

However, I'm sorry I'm not having it. The transfer landscape hasn't changed for me. In essence it is no different now to what it was then.

I'm not looking for United to sign better players than Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Bruno, Anthony Gordon, Sven Botman, and Tino Livramento. I'm looking to sign more like them. They were good enough for us then and most certainly are now.

If Newcastle could secure their like in the past why not in the here and now? They don't need an upgrade. Let them instead revert to type and go out and unearth such gems all over again.

Liverpool and Chelsea were around when we first got our fishing net out and they could compete with us but we did more than all right and in the process made Wembley twice and the Champions League twice.

United won't sign a better centre-forward than Isak so stop looking for one. There isn’t a better all round midfield enforcer and performer than Tonali.