3. Shefki Kuqi
After the departure of
Andy Carroll for £35 million on transfer deadline day, and with no time to sign a proper replacement, Alan Pardew delved into the free-agent market and signed the 34-year old Finnish striker on a free, after his release from Championship outfit Swansea the previous summer in a move that seemed to signal Newcastles lack of intention for the rest of the season. Kuqi was confined to only 6 substitute appearances, and unsurprisingly, was released barely 3 months later, and the remainder of Newcastles season seemed to go by without incident as they secured a respectable 12th placed finish in their first season back in top-flight football.