What now for Newcastle after sale of Carroll?

One of the biggest deals of deadline day involved Liverpool signing Newcastle striker Andy Carroll for £35million.

It came as a shock to most of us and the deal came almost out of nowhere.

Newcastle felt that the offer was too good to be turned down, even for a striker who was a home-grown hero.

Massive

The amount of money Liverpool have paid for the youngster is massive.

It’s incredible to think that this is Carroll’s first season in the Premier League and Liverpool have paid £35million for him. Liverpool have paid for the potential that Carroll holds and he has the potential to be a top Premier League striker.

Newcastle

Newcastle decided to sell after the player handed in a transfer request (forced or not). I was surprised that the Magpies didn’t sign a replacement with the money burning a hole in their pocket.

Maybe Newcastle boss Alan Pardew felt that any move with such a short time remaining in the window would be a panic buy. The only deal that they were linked with was a move to bring Wigan winger Charles N’Zogbia back to St James Park, a £10million bid being turned down by the Latics.

Strikers

Newcastle are not blessed with the best strikers in the Premier League. They are left with just Shola Ameobi, Leon Best and Nile Ranger as out and out strikers. None of those three are proven Premier League strikers.

Newcastle also have Peter Lovenkrands and Hatem Ben Arfa as attacking options but are more attacking midfielders than central strikers and the latter is currently out injured. If I was Alan Pardew I wouldn’t be too confident in my available strikers.

Promise

According to Pardew Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has promised him the full £35million to rebuild his squad in the summer. I’m sure most Newcastle fans will be cynical about how much of that money the Magpies boss actually gets to spend.

Ashley has broken promises before in the North East and if I was a Newcastle fan I wouldn’t hold my breath. If however he does give Pardew the money to spend it could really help the club strengthen the squad.

Survival

Newcastle are by no means a one man team but Carroll was the focal point of the Geordies attack. He has popped up so many times with vital strikes to earn the club points this season. His 11 goals in 19 appearances have helped the club to a comfortable tenth place in the Premier League.

Newcastle are currently eight points clear of the relegation zone but could easily get dragged into the battle for survival if they have a poor run of results or form. Their priority is to stay in the Premier League and then try and strengthen in the summer, whatever amount of money that Pardew is given to spend.

Possible

Newcastle fans were obviously upset at losing a player who could have became a club legend. However a lot of Newcastle fans have been realistic and realise that the money was too much to turn down.

I’m sure they will still give the club their full support because the Magpies have had a decent season so far and they’ll be hoping that the season doesn’t now turn sour after the departure of one of their star players.

Have Newcastle done the right thing by selling Andy Carroll?