Owen Humphreys/PA WireNewcastle were the biggest spenders in Europe in the January transfer window, spending almost £30m on three players, as well as a loan deal for Roma's Seydou Doumbia. Although Henri Saivet has had limited opportunities in a black and white shirt, Jonjo Shelvey and Andros Townsend have shown enough to suggest they were worth the £12m spent on each of them. Shelvey has had the biggest impact, and seems to be the one player capable of dragging this club up the table and guide them to safety. The former Swansea midfielder is so highly thought of that he has been handed the captaincy in Fabricio Coloccini's absence. That either speaks positively on the effect Shelvey has had since arriving, or negatively on the leadership capabilities of the players that were already at the club. Take your pick. Townsend could prove to be as big an asset as Shelvey, with his minutes limited due to a hamstring injury. However, the England winger was one of Newcastle's best players in the Tyne Wear derby (not that there were many good performances) and the natural width he brings could provide the ammunition for Newcastle's failing forwards.
