NUFC transfer business - summary

Following Newcastle’s relegation, it would have been easy for everyone to just give up. By everyone, I don’t just mean the fans, although being the largest commodity that contributes to the Club’s income more than most, they are probably the most important.

The fact is, if the fans had given up, the minimal attendances would have had a knock-on effect due to the lack of sales of merchandise both in and around the ground, lack of a public for sponsors to court and lack of an atmosphere to use as a lure for potential players.

In fact, when I say everyone, I mean the fans, our manager, the owner, and the players.

Although some of our more mercenary players made it clear that they were not interested in righting the wrongs of last season, it must be remembered that the bulk of the players decided to roll their sleeves up and get on with it – a fact that is easily forgotten with the constant stories about Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Townsend and Janmaat agitating for moves.

The most significant show of faith, of course, came from our manager. Rafa Benitez could have easily left and taken a job at any number of potential suitors, but he saw something at our club. He has an affinity with the fans – the like of which has only been reserved for the Keegans, Robsons and Shearers of the world.

Like him or loathe him, but another show of commitment came from Mike Ashley. Now for all of the reasons that have been documented before, I am not a fan of our owner. But I also think that credit should be given when due, and by pulling out all of the stops to keep Benitez, and virtually restructuring the whole club and his old (failed) philosophy, he has finally given the fans some semblance of hope for the future.

Another show of faith has also come from the players who have arrived this summer. The fact that some of them turned down Premier League clubs and made their previous clubs know of the desire they had to come here, shows the type of committed players we have brought in.

For too long Newcastle United have bought players who are clearly here for the money and exposure, and cared nothing for Newcastle United.

The best thing about the current squad is that they all seem to have a desire to play for the black and white shirt. They all want to walk out at St James’ Park and perform for the fans. Obviously they are on good salaries, but they could have picked their wages up at any club – but they WANT to play for us.

The draw was typified by the clutch of players brought in in the closing days of the transfer window.

Deandre Yedlin – capped 40 times by the USA – is a speedy right back who, as we all know, was on loan at Sunderland last season. The fact that he chose to come to St James’ Park, despite apparent interest from Premier League clubs says a lot about the influence of Rafa.

However, it also shows that, regardless of Newcastle’s slip from the top flight, we are still seen as a big club.

The pace he brings with him, along with his experience, means that the deal could prove to be a win-win. He gets the chance to play regularly, and gives him an opportunity to impress, and we get a player that is a more than adequate replacement for Janmaat, and also someone that, should he fulfil the potential that Benitez sees in him, can progress next season in the Premier League, if we are promoted this year.

Another ex-Sunderland player who arrived in the final days of the window, was Daryl Murphy. The Ipswich Town striker’s arrival was one that not many fans saw coming.

He described the opportunity to play for us this week as “too good to turn down” and he made sure that the powers that be at Portman Road knew as much.

Now he may not be the most prolific striker, or even one that would have made the top 10 potential players that Rafa would sign this summer, but what he is, is another player that has proved he can score goals at this level.

Murphy has made 168 appearances for Ipswich, and has scored 57 goals in those games, along with a further 23 assists. That averages out at a goal every 2.9 games.

Therefore, he will provide more than capable cover for Dwight Gayle and Aleksandar Mitrovic, which is something that Benitez has stressed was needed in order to be successful.

The final deal made on deadline day was the loan arrival of Christian Atsu from Chelsea. The deal – which has an apparent option to buy at the end of it – is a more mouth-watering prospect than the previous two.

The Ghanaian international arrived at Chelsea from Porto in the summer of 2013 and, at 21 years old at the time, was touted as a player with immense talent, and one to watch for the future. However, the move never seemed to work out for him, and during his Chelsea career, he has been on loan to Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga.

Still only 24, if Rafa can extract the performances from him that got him the Chelsea move in the first place, then this could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for us.

Able to play on either wing, he seems to be just the type of player that Benitez likes.

He made his international debut for Ghana in 2012 while still only 20, and has gone on to play for the national side 44 times, scoring 6 goals in the process.

Should he live up to his full potential, he could soon become a crowd favourite.

These late additions, along with the previous signings, show a sign of Newcastle’s intent. They have, in most cases, bought horses for courses – players that know the Championship, and are capable of getting us out of the Championship.

How many of these players, should we be successful in our aim of returning to the Premier League, would be considered good enough to make the grade at the higher level, remains to be seen… but that is a different story for a different day.

One thing that can be said for every player that we have signed, is that they have all shown a desire to want to play for Newcastle United – something that cannot be said of other signings during the Ashley era.

These new signings, along with the players who have stayed to right the wrongs of last season, mean that we have a squad full of players for who wearing the black and white shirt and playing at St James’ Park actually means something.

These are players who want to play for Rafa Benitez. They went out of their way to show that signing for the club means more to them than just a pay-cheque.

Maybe, under the leadership of Rafa Benitez, and learning from mistakes of the past, Newcastle are finally United again.