The battle at the bottom - United and their drop zone rivals
NEWCASTLE United are in the relegation zone, having tumbled from the heights of the top six to 18th place in just six weeks - highlighting the importance of the January transfer window.
Manager Rafa Benitez has made it clear he wants to strengthen his side in the winter window to aid his fight against the drop but, with talks over a takeover still incomplete, how much the Spaniard will have to spend is a mystery.
Benitez pointed to fellow relegation strugglers Crystal Palace to highlight the Magpies’ need to add players of good quality to his side when the window opens on January 1.
Speaking after the Arsenal defeat - his fourth loss in a row - Benitez said: “If we get to January and we can add players to give a lift to the rest of the team we have to do it.
“We knew we were short in some positions and we have seen over the whole season what has happened. In some positions, we need competition, we have to do it.
“If you analyse some of the teams at the bottom of the table, you see the cost of the players they have.
“For example, look at Crystal Palace. Look at the four players they have up front and tell me how much they cost now. It is so simple when you look at things like that.”
Palace have found themselves resurgent under Roy Hodgson as have West Ham United under David Moyes. Both teams are now above United in the league table but do both sides – and the other four teams around Newcastle – really have a better squad?
BRIGHTON
Pos: 13 Pts: 18 Net spend 17-18: £39.65 million Best summer buy: Pascal Gross (£2.5 million)
Midfielder Gross has carried on his superb from last season where he was credited as creating the most chances in the Bundesliga for his side Ingolstad, who were relegated from the top flight. At £2.5 million it is the kind of bargain Mike Ashley would love and with three goals and five assists already he is pulling the strings for that Brighton midfield. Top scorer: Glenn Murray (five goals)
A bit like Dwight Gayle, the jury has always been out on Murray with people asking if he can cut it in the Premier League.
Sixteen goals in 66 games would suggest he is never going to be prolific enough for a top side - but nonetheless his goals are keeping Brighton out of the drop zone. Would you take any of Brighton’s players at Newcastle?
Lewis Dunk and Anthony Knockaert are names which have been constantly linked to Newcastle United and the former could certainly add something to United’s defence.
Knockaert, like some of United’s best Championship performers, has found the step-up in class hard.
In his current form, Gross, would also so do a fine job in the black and white of Newcastle.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Pos: 14 Pts: 17 Net Spend 17-18: £31.3 million Best buy: Ruben Loftus-Cheek (loan, Chelsea) One of Rafa Benitez’s key targets this summer and back in January but the young midfielder ended up at Selhurst Park. He has forced his way into the England picture with some composed peformances for the Eagles - he has a good eye for a pass and can cover plenty of ground. Top scorers: Wilfried Zaha, James McCarthur, Bakary Sakho (four goals) Wilfried Zaha is their star man and has re-found the form which earned him a move to Manchester United. Chelsea are now sniffing around. Would you take any of Crystal Palace’s players at Newcastle? It did not start well for Roy Hodgson (pictured left) but Palce are now unbeaten in seven games - winning three – and Benitez has pinpointed the ‘four’ attackers they have as to why his own side needs to be strengthened this January. You would take Zaha at United any day of the week while Loftus-Cheek could walk into the midfield role which Benitez wanted him for.
WEST HAM
Pos: 17 Pts: 17 Net spend 17-18: £17.3 million Best Buy: Javier Hernandez (£16 million)
So the Mexican has not set the world alight on his return to the Premier League but wouldn’t Benitez love the luxury of spending £16 million on a striker? He has netted four goals and proved during his time at Manchester United he can cut it in the top flight. Top scorer: Andre Ayew (five)
He cost the Hammers around £20 million as they spent a budget only the Magpies’ can seemingly dream of. Now fully fit after trouble with injury, he is beginning to show his worth. Would you take any of the West Ham players at Newcastle?
Adrian has replaced Joe Hart in goal as David Moyes tries to find his best team. He played in the 2-1 defeat to Manchcester City, where he was man of the match, and three games on, the Hammers have not conceded. You would take some of the budget the London club have afforded to previous managers.
BOURNEMOUTH
Pos: 16 Pts:16 Net spend 17-18: £30 million Best buy: Jermain Defoe (free)
He was the reason Sunderland stayed up for two consecutive seasons so it is no surprise that, despite his age, he was snapped up by the Cherries. Give Defoe the service and he will fire you to safety. Top goalscorer: Callum Wilson (four goals)
Wilson was tracked by Newcastle last season with a view to a potential summer move before his injury in February ruled him out for the rest of the season and pre-season but he is back and fully fit, showing just why he is rated by Rafa Benitez. Would you take any of the Bournemouth players at Newcastle?
Not many people would turn down Wilson, Defoe or Joshua King while Nathan Ake - a £20 million summer arrival - has huge potential.
STOKE CITY
Pos 17 Pts:16 Net spend 17-19: - £9m Best buy: Darren Fletcher (free)
Stoke City spent a lot in the summer – including £18 million on Kevin Wimmer from Spurs. Something you need in a relegation battle is a wise head, which is why Fletcher is one of their better buys of the summer. Even at 33, he has still made 18 appearances, scoring once, and will be a key voice in the dressing room as the Potters try to get out of the relegation mire. Top scorers: Peter Crouch, Diame Biram Diouf and Xherdan Shaqiri (four)
Crouch has shown he can still cut it at the top and has earned himself a new contract. Meanwhile Diouf has found a new lease of life and Shaqiri is as inconsistent as ever as Stoke lack a clinical goalscorer. Would you take any of the Stoke players at Newcastle?
Darren Fletcher would provide the experience that Newcastle are badly lacking while Ryan Shawcross, who was also linked to the Magpies in the summer, would also be a good addition.
WEST BROM
Pos: 19 Pts: 14 Net spend 17-18: £32.1 million Best buy: Gareth Barry (£1 million) Having an experienced player in your corner during a relegation battle is a massive plus and there is no-one more experienced than Gareth Barry. Benitez has highlighted his side lacks experience and Barry would have been ideal to add to their squad. Top goalscorers: Jay Rodriguez and Saloman Rondon United were offered Rodriguez in the summer but with him coming back from a long-term injury it was decided the club would not gamble on him. West Brom did and he has netted three goals, as has Rondon. His arrival in the summer of 2015 for £12 million shows just how far United have fallen behind in terms of competing in the transfer market. Would you take any of the West Brom players at Newcastle?
Jonny Evans is attracting some interest from the league’s best sides while the previously mentioned Barry and Rodriquez would offer important depth to a United squad. Kieran Gibbs was also wanted by United in the summer but he ended up in the Midlands.
SWANSEA CITY
Pos: 20 Pts: 12 Net Spend 17-18: £19.5 million. Best buy and top scorer: Tammy Abraham (loan)
He was Benitez’s number one target - the United manager even reportedly went to meet him at St George’s Park despite it being his wedding anniversary. It was thought the deal was done but the Chelsea striker ended up in Wales. He has scored five goals and shown he is not just a Championship striker. Would you take any of the Swansea players at Newcastle?
Other than Abraham, Sam Clucas, who arrived for £12 million, was another player looked at by Newcastle and would add quality to this United squad.