10 Things We Learned During Newcastle’s Summer Transfer Window
A new manager, five new players and Moussa Sissoko is still here, but what else did we learn?
Newcastle United's crucial fixture against West Ham on the 24th May marked the end of John Carver's Magpies career but it also signified a new era on Tyneside. Managerial changes are common in football but it's rare that you have to reinstate supporters' faith, confidence and enjoyment of watching the beautiful game over a three month period. Has Mike Ashley done that? To an extent he probably has. The owner's perturbing interview with Sky Sports prior to the fateful 'Survival Sunday' outlined Ashley's normally-muted intentions and sent shivers through fans' chests as the shrewd businessman declared he wasn't going anywhere until Newcastle had won a trophy. 'That's that then', most fans sulked as they prepared to die with Ashley at the helm. But the owner for once reacted to the criticisms that questioned the club's philosophy and ambition. Firstly, he brought in Steve McClaren from Derby which instantly eased supporters' minds who feared that Carver would be in charge of the first-team (and have a say on anything to do with Newcastle United ever again). Then the transfers came. Classy midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum was signed from PSV Eindhoven for £14.5 million followed by the exciting £13 million purchase of Aleksandar Mitrovic from Anderlecht. Next up, Chancel Mbemba signed and Northampton's Ivan Toney and Marseille's Florian Thauvin followed the defender through the St James' Park entrance. Five signings through the door and fans expected some departures yet as the 2014/15 summer transfer window shut, Papiss Cisse, Moussa Sissoko and Cheick Tiote are all still at the club. Progress has certainly been made but what exactly have we learned during the summer?