Let us view Newcastle United long term and not match by match. The Magpies have looked as though they will not go down since they embarked on their recent nine-match unbeaten run and it increasingly appears to be three to go from Norwich, Watford, Burnley and Everton.
That being the case what have United to do in their second window of opportunity this summer after having a good January in the transfer market? Eddie Howe and the owners have to be tough and make unsentimental decisions for the good of the club and I am sure they will.
That being the case I would buy a centre-forward to replace Chris Wood who could drop to the bench and I would sell Allan Saint-Maximin to free up decent money to boost the rebuilding pot. First and foremost United desperately require a focal point to their attack. As things stand now they are flying by the seat of their pants.
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Wood doesn't score enough goals, Callum Wilson is never fit for long enough, and Dwight Gayle is constantly ignored. He must be sold for his sake and the sake of the club. United simply cannot rely on those three next season if they are to make significant progress.
A lot of folk who defend Wood insist United are not playing to his strengths but, honestly, what are his strengths by Premier League standards? What you would suggest is his physical power being a tall, well built player, and his ability in the air.
However neither 'asset' is used often enough in my opinion. His goal against Southampton apart when he was on the move, Chris isn't in the same league as Wyn Davies. Back in the day Big Wyn was accused of not scoring enough goals but he was fearsome in the air and knocked defenders all over the place.
Wyn was the rock upon which my old manager Joe Harvey built his attack in their European Fairs Cup glory days. Come next season Wood will not score enough goals, Wilson will not play enough games, and Gayle will not be selected to start. So United need to buy.
As for Saint-Maximin I know he splits opinion among fans. Yes, he can have the odd brilliant game as any player can but by and large I feel he is a one trick pony who does not contribute enough to the team either in assists or goals.
Of course he can be easy on the eye when things come off but he doesn't do it often enough. Certain clubs will always take a chance on ASM because they feel he is a crowd pleaser but I cannot see a Champions League side spending huge money on him or him ever winning the Ballon d'Or as is his personal goal evidently.
I know that Howe has said Saint-Maximin has a future here and that he can be a genius but what else is he going to say with the rest of the season to go? United's manager has to keep him onside at least until the summer. I have been waiting for the penny to drop with Saint-Maximin . . . when he looks to see where team-mates are and releases a great pass to play them in or when he scores regularly but I don't see a significant improvement.
When you look at Bruno Guimaraes he is the future of NUFC. He is the sort of signing United need to make this summer. It is not about one-off performances. It's about consistency, not burning bright and then fading from sight.
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