Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer believes one more attacking recruit could help salvage the transfer window for his former club. It has been a difficult summer with winger Anthony Gordon and midfielders Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes leaving St James' Park but there have been some more positive signs of late.
New signings make debuts
New signings Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic and Sean Steur all made their full debuts against Liverpool in the first league match under new manager Matthias Jaissle. Aladji Bamba also made his senior bow from the bench, with Jaissle's side denied victory right at the death after twice taking the lead in a 2-2 draw.
There were more debuts in a midweek Carabao Cup win over West Brom, with Bazoumana Toure scoring on his first competitive appearance for the club. New midfielder Nico Gonzalez was presented to the fans before kick-off and Betfair ambassador Shearer believes things are beginning to take shape.
Shearer's verdict on the window
"I think they need another midfielder, which I'm hearing is not too far away," he said when asked for his dream end to the transfer window. His comments came just before Gonzalez was confirmed as a Newcastle player after joining for £50million from Manchester City.
He continued: "If they can get another body in the building, maybe in the forward position, then they can be reasonably happy with what they've done in the window. It will be challenging at times but anything in and around mid-table I think the Newcastle fans would accept and take. Hopefully better things are to come in the seasons ahead."
Message to potential signings
There is still time for Jaissle to add to his squad before the window shuts on September 1. Shearer has pointed to the space for a new attacking addition after Gordon's move to Barcelona in June and sent a clear message to anyone considering the move.
"They'll come into a great environment, a brilliant area and a fanbase that would adore you if you try and run around and do the bare minimum. And anything else on top of that would be a success," he added. "It's a great fanbase. It's a fanbase that understands and they're very, very passionate, as anyone knows."
More than 50,000 fans piled into St James' Park on Wednesday as Gonzalez stepped out onto the pitch before kick-off. The new arrival got a chance to witness a topsy-turvy 3-2 win, with Toure equalising late in the first half and Harvey Barnes scoring a match-winning brace in the second.
"I'm really happy to be here at this amazing club," former Barcelona midfielder Gonzalez said after his arrival was confirmed. "I've only heard top words about the club and the city, so I'm really excited to live here and to be part of this project. I love the black and white shirt already and I can't wait to start wearing it on the pitch for this club. I've experienced playing at St. James' Park twice with Manchester City and it was really tough. The atmosphere was amazing and the fans are so passionate. I can't wait to experience that as a home player."
Alan Shearer was speaking on Wembley Way at the launch of Betfair's Walk of Shame, which immortalises football's most spectacularly inaccurate predictions and takes. Everyone's got an opinion, back yours at Betfair.
