Speaking just before the transfer window closed on Tuesday evening, Lee Ryder voiced his concerns over Newcastle United’s lack of investment in the striker department.
The Magpies finished the summer transfer window bringing in the one sole first-team signing in the form of Joe Willock, but given that the midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at St. James’ Park, no progress appears to have been made.
Can Newcastle survive without Wilson?
Yes
No
It had been reported that Newcastle were trying to seal a deal to bring Hamza Choudhury to Tyneside, but it was later claimed that the Magpies could not free up a space to accommodate the arrival of the Leicester City midfielder.
Ryder gave his thoughts on Newcastle’s lack of signings in the striker department.
“I think the striker gamble for me is the big one. If Callum Wilson gets injured, I think we’re all concerned about that.
“Dwight Gayle is there as backup, then you’ve got Joelinton – we’ve spoken about the suitability of him playing down the middle. I can understand the concerns.”
TIF Thoughts on Newcastle’s lack of signings…
Compared to the business that all the other teams did in the bottom half of the Premier League, who improved and brought in numerous players that will enhance their squad, Newcastle lagged behind and somewhat limped over the line, summarised by their desperate attempt to sign Boubacar Kamara, who later rejected the club.
Bruce is now reportedly ‘seeking answers‘ from the powers above him about what happened in the transfer window as he was only handed one player who doesn’t represent a new face in the ranks as Willock was with the club last season, which does not sound like a great way to kick off an international break.
However, based on Ryder’s comments, it appears that the main issue at striker is not that there are not enough alternatives to Wilson, but that there is a stark difference in quality.