The transfer window - success or failure?

I write this piece after Newcastle’s dismal display against Everton on Wednesday night – so understand that any euphoria at Newcastle’s transfer business has been firmly dimmed. Nevertheless, as this is a transfer piece, I will try my best to divorce my emotions from a game that, for the first time, leaves me genuinely thinking that Newcastle could be destined for relegation.

What must Alan Pardew think? In two transfer windows, Newcastle have spent almost 80 million pounds. It is a remarkable shift in policy no fan or pundit could have expected. Moreover, of equal surprise is the subtle shift in transfer policy. Newcastle have acquired English players (charitably termed “England internationals”) as well as Doumbia, who, at age 28 (that itself could be in question!) is the oldest player purchased for a while. What does this mean? At the very least, it signals a shift towards pragmatism, and an acknowledgement that proven Premier League experience is worth the extra expense.

Cynically, one of course might say that Newcastle’s perilous league position explains the over-indulgence. This, of course, is true. But 80 million pounds, relegation or no relegation is different from the Newcastle of two or three years ago. Whether this was always the plan – wait a few years, acquire the requisite wealth, and then spend – is hard to say. We’d like to think there was some grand plan, but in most likelihood Ashley was convinced this summer that a change of tack was required.

So, let’s pretend that Newcastle were 10th in the league, and had spent 80 million pounds. A clear sense of optimism would be flying around the place. Newcastle would be stable, financially and in terms of league position. Fans would be excited that better times around the corner. In all reality if Newcastle spent anywhere the amount this summer that they did last summer (50m), that would take their spending to 130m. A team spending that much in one year should be challenging for the Champions League. I challenge you to dispute that.

But, Newcastle aren’t 10th in the league. And because they aren’t 10th, they are still under scrutiny. Investment or no investment, Newcastle didn’t sign a recognised striker. Newcastle didn’t sign any defenders. Newcastle cannot afford to play around given their peril. Therefore – how can this transfer window be anything other than a failure given the context of this season? We can all applaud the board for finally investing – but if it isn’t enough to keep us up, it wasn’t enough. Simple as that.

Will Newcastle scrape to safety? Perhaps. Then, maybe, we can get excited about a board that is finally willing to spend money on the team. But, until then, I am holding my applause. Newcastle were awful again last night – and were clearly lacking at both ends of the pitch. We have to hope it doesn’t come back to bite us.