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Newcastle set for bright future after these smart transfer additions:

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Box-to-box midfielder Moussa Sissoko – who was out of contract at Toulouse at the end of the season – joined for £2.2million after Newcastle brought forward a signing they were likely to make in the summer.

From transfer window no-hopers, Newcastle had suddenly become the busiest Premier League club in January, and were boosted further when it was announced Coloccini would stay until at least the summer.

There is now a great deal of positivity surrounding the club, despite their precarious position in the league, but the new signings need to hit the ground running.

Sissoko was magnificent in the first-half of Tuesday night’s crucial 2-1 win at Aston Villa, which gave Newcastle some breathing space in their battle against relegation, while Gouffran also impressed and Yanga-Mbiwa made a vital block after coming on as a substitute.

However, the Magpies are still far from safe, despite the fact they have moved up to 15th in the table and are now four points clear of the bottom three.

Pardew’s side now face two extremely difficult games against Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, the two teams which finished either side of them in last season’s Premier League table.

Ba’s departure now seems a distant memory, but have Newcastle replaced his goals?

Although Pardew has suggested the club’s transfer business for this window is done, they have been linked with the likes of Wilfried Bony, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ricky Van Wolfswinkel in recent days.

Florian Thauvin and William Vainqueur have also been linked, while Simpson could depart before the window closes as his current deal runs out in the summer.

Thauvin, however, will not be moving to St James’ Park this month after he agreed a move to French side Lille.

Some youngsters may also be sent out on loan due to the increased competition for places, with the club’s supporters now much more confident of at least staying up.

However, Newcastle have to start winning games soon and their new French acquisitions will have to adapt to the English game incredibly quickly.

The Magpies may still be one short up front with Papiss Cisse struggling to replicate the form of last season – although he did score at Villa Park – but it is hoped the likes of Gouffran and Sissoko, coupled with the return from injury of Yohan Cabaye and imminent return of Hatem Ben Arfa, will help drag Newcastle to safety.

Long-term, with the new arrivals on board, the goals are much bigger, but for now there is only one objective: to preserve Newcastle’s Premier League status.

Credit must go to Ashley for sanctioning these signings, but unless they can deliver quickly, it could prove to be a gamble too late.

There can be no more excuses for Pardew; he now has a squad which should be more than good enough to remain in the Premier League.

Ashley, albeit belatedly, has backed last season’s LMA Manager of the Year, and Pardew must now find a formula with his new signings that works. Quickly.

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