Buying the right men will be key to future, says Cole
NEWCASTLE United legend Andrew Cole is intrigued by what unfolds next at St James’ Park as the club’s Saudi-backed owners prepare for the summer transfer window.
Cole was part of the club’s first Premier League season when Kevin Keegan built the Entertainers and challenged for the title just two years after scrapping with relegation from Division Three.
However, the former Newcastle and Manchester United striker is cautious when it comes to predicting another quick rise to the top three of the Premiership.
He said: “It is going to be an interesting to see what Newcastle do in the summer.
“Of course, they are going to go again in the transfer market.
“That is why the new owners bought the club and it will be interesting to see what kind of players they can entice there.
“I don’t think they are going to rest on their laurels but things are going to take a little bit of time.
“They will not be able to run before they can walk.”
Cole feels it is about attracting the right type of player who will be suitable for the Newcastle project.
He added: “They have a lot of money but they must try to sign the right players there to propel them forward.
“Regardless of how much money the owners have, to be competing to try and win the Premier League - along with the Champions League - does not happen in one season. That is impossible!
“We still have to wait and see what the Newcastle project is.”
Boss Eddie Howe has transformed a season of struggle into a challenge for the top 10 in just six months.
Cole says he has no complaints about the job the head coach has done so far.
He said: “You would have to be happy with the job Eddie Howe has done at Newcastle. “He has gone there and pulled them out of the relegation fight but they were also the only club in the division who could have gone out and spent £90m.
“However, he has brought in players who have helped to get them out of the position they were in.
“The question is next season will some of those players be able to take Newcastle to the next level? We will have to wait and see.
“Football is such a precarious game, you never ever know what can happen. Eddie has kept them up and has them playing good stuff. Come next season, though, the expectations are going to be much higher.”