Newcastle United are already planning ahead for the next couple of windows as the club look to continue the blueprint that attracted youngsters like Aladji Bamba, Bazoumana Toure and Sean Steur in the summer.
As reported by Chronicle Live last weekend, a scouting summit meeting took place on Tyneside in the run-up to the 2-1 home win over Hull City at St James' Park. The get-together was the first big meeting since the departure of head of recruitment Steve Nickson, who has headed to Championship side Wrexham, and football executive Andy Howe.
Recruitment team reshaped
Within days of the summit meeting, it has been confirmed that the void of Nickson and Howe leaving has already been partially filled with strategy chief and former Sunderland manager Jack Ross, who worked with Wilson at Falkirk, promoted to assistant sporting director.
Newcastle are looking at new wingers, a midfielder and a forward ahead of the next phase of recruitment and have a number of young stars on their radar. Newcastle seem to have hit the jackpot with the signing of young Dutchman Steur who has taken to the Premier League like a duck to water, and is still just 18.
PSV talents on radar
The Netherlands continues to be a country of interest for the Magpies, and it is believed that PSV Eindhoven's Noah Fernandez is one name that has been put to Newcastle. Also 18, the left-footed central midfielder has made a strong start to the season with the former club of Sir Bobby Robson.
The teenage Belgian youth international is being monitored by Newcastle and a clutch of clubs in the Premier League. One of Fernandez's team-mates Amir Bouhamdi has also been tracked by English top-flight sides with PSV recently tying him down to a deal until 2031.
The Moroccan youth international has currently spoken about the battle between Holland and Morocco for his international future. He told De PSV Supporter Magazine: "I now feel like someone from Eindhoven, but my Moroccan background is an important part of my identity. I have played for the Netherlands Under-18s and was also called up once for Morocco Under-20s. Unfortunately, I could not go there at the time because of an injury."
"So I can still represent both countries. If that choice comes at some point, I'll see what I do. I don't have to make that decision now. My focus is on PSV and on my development here."
Both talents look like two to watch in Europe, but Newcastle are scouring the Continent and South America for a substantial number of stars ahead of the next couple of windows.
Peter Ramage back on the road
The Newcastle loan manager was spotted in the stands at Salford City's AIG Stadium as part of a crowd of 3,052 in the North West last weekend. His mission for the day was to check up on Newcastle's Cowgate-born midfielder Anthony Munda who is on loan at Swindon Town this season.
Munda played the full 90 minutes on the right-hand side of midfield in a 4-3-3 formation but could not prevent the Robins going down to a 1-0 defeat as Joe Powell scored a winner with 13 minutes left. Munda played in pre-season twice under Eddie Howe but did not appear under Matthias Jaissle, and was loaned out 12 days into the German head coach's stint in charge.
Munda has been on the books since the age of nine and now faces a decisive time at Newcastle with his contract up at the end of the season. He has made six appearances so far for Swindon and is making good use of his time at the County Ground. Working with Ian Holloway, Munda said last month: "I feel like the point where I am in my career now, I’m ready for it. I feel like it’s a really good club to be at; we play great football, so I feel like it’s a good step for me. I spoke to the manager, and he liked how athletic I am, how I can get round the pitch and my bit of quality on the ball, so I feel like the conversations I’ve had have been quite positive."
Swindon sit in 13th place in League Two after a decent start to the season fizzled out under the ex-Blackpool manager.
Magpies launch new clothing line
Despite some incredibly popular drops from Adidas since Newcastle and the German sporting giants got back together, the Magpies have ventured into their own clothing line at the club shop. Dubbed the "East Coast Varsity", Newcastle have items such as baseball shirts and college jackets for sale this autumn with their pitch reading: "Inspired by classic American sportswear and built for life in the North East, discover classic collegiate styling with a Newcastle twist."
It's worth noting that buying merch directly from the club's online shop goes directly into the United kitty and helps them close down the revenue gap between the likes of Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man United. Jackets at £90 and hoodies at £65 are now available and it will be interesting to see how sales go in the run-up to Christmas.
Judging by the amount of away shirts spotted on Tyneside, it looks like the blue kit launched in the summer is the clear winner of the three Adidas jerseys released in recent times. Members were also invited to a 25% discount on home shirts just a couple of months into its drop in the close season when it emerged on the scene minus a shirt sponsor.
