---
title: "Newcastle: Lee Clark raves over ‘fantastic’ recruitment"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-unbelievable-transfer-business-lee-clark/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Mark Murphy"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2023-02-02T08:10:55Z"
modified: "2023-02-02T08:10:55Z"
---

# Newcastle: Lee Clark raves over ‘fantastic’ recruitment

**Former Newcastle United midfielder Lee Clark has raved over the ‘fantastic’ business Eddie Howe has done since taking charge of the club.**

### The Lowdown: Adding quality

In the last two transfer windows, the Magpies have [signed](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/transfers/verein/762) a total of eight players, including Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon.

It’s been a [fantastic](https://www.skysports.com/premier-league-table) 2022/23 campaign for Newcastle, who sit third in the Premier League table on 39 points.

Their [win](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/64317699) against Southampton on Tuesday means that the club will be playing in the EFL Cup final, in what will be the Toon’s [first](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/pokalhistorie/verein/762) cup final at Wembley since 1999.

### The Latest: Clark praises recruitment

Clark spoke live on [TalkSport](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mHyxN9mMYw&t=113s) and praised the depth that Howe has been able to add to his squad over the last couple of transfer windows.

He stated: “You’re bringing on exciting players \[against Southampton\] – Saint-Maximin, Isak, Murphy. Pace and power in the last 30 minutes when the opposition are a bit tired.

“So it just shows you the strength in depth. I think the recruitment’s been unbelievable by Eddie and the staff behind the scenes; the signings they’ve made have been fantastic. I think that’s what gives everyone encouragement.”

### The Verdict: An exciting future

We believe that Newcastle have an exciting future on the horizon and they’re already performing better than many expected.

This time last year, the Magpies were [second-bottom](https://www.premierleague.com/matchweek/6684/table) in the Premier League. So to see them at the complete opposite side of the [table](https://www.skysports.com/premier-league-table) is truly remarkable.

Pundit and [former](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jamie-redknapp/profil/spieler/3424) Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp also raved about Newcastle earlier this season, labelling them as a ‘different class’ on Sky Sports (via [Newcastle World](https://www.newcastleworld.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/pundits-hail-newcastle-united-different-class-praise-success-story-miguel-almiron-3907629)).

If the club want to consistently be a major threat in England and Europe, Howe will have to continue to add to the [depth](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/startseite/verein/762) of his team, in our view.

There are certainly talented players in the squad, but we believe some of the squad and fringe players should be moved on as they don’t have the quality to go to the next level.

The likes of [Ryan Fraser](https://thisisfutbol.com/2022/09/blogs/premier-league/newcastle-united-news-nufc-results-ryan-fraser-crystal-palace/) and [Jacob Murphy](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/not-convinced-newcastle-supporters-react-25154536) have come under criticism in recent times from pundits and fans, so these might be the players closest to the exit door – and judging by their transfer activity under PIF, you can trust Howe and the Toon owners to make the right decisions.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418867″\]