Butt, still no right back
I see that we've finalised the deal for Nicky Butt today, and for a bargain £2 million too.  Given the fact that we've already sold Gary Speed, and let Viana go off to Portugal on loan, the midfield was looking a bit sparsely populated and lightweight, so at least this signing should go some way to addressing that issue.

The problem seems to be that with each passing day the club's search for a new rightback becomes even more desperate.  Today we've been reported to have made an offer for Miguel, which is likely to be turned down.  Assuming that's the most we're willing to pay, that only leaves Trabelsi (who still hasn't signed for Arsenal) or Stephen Carr.

The problem is that even if we do eventually sign one of these three candidates it will take them time to bed in to the defence, and in the mean time we're undermining Aaron Hughes.  By doing this we must surely be damaging his confidence, and thus making him a worse player.  Essentially, we're buggering up our team the longer and more desperate our search becomes.

For my part, I accept that perhaps we need a more attacking full back who could give us more options from full back, but who is also capable of fulfilling their defensive duties.  Hughes is solid, but he isn't spectacular, and I doubt he ever will be.  However, the desperate nature of the search can hardly have done anything to boost his confidence and as such is hardly going to improve him as a player, something which we must do if we fail to find a suitable alternative.

Whilst I'm on the subject of full-backs, I wish we'd give Bernard a new contract, the thought of having to find a new left back next summer is too horrific to even contemplate.  As he's one of the few players who actually improved last season it seems ludicrous to even contemplate allowing him to leave.

Therefore, whilst we continually search for a new full back we're in danger of buggering up the two we already have - typical Newcastle.


- posted by Paul @ 4:25 pm