After a difficult start to the season following their promotion to the Premier League, Newcastle United enjoyed an impressive three game winning streak in the league, before defeat at Brighton on Sunday halted the Magpies surge.
Our Geordie contingent here at the Transfer Tavern remains upbeat however, and Sunday’s visit of Liverpool is drumming up real excitement around the jukebox, where our boys from the northeast spend the majority of their time, in their droves.
In a trip to the bar between songs, our landlord struck up a conversation with fans about their striking problem, with the consensus amongst fans is that the club need to target a new forward in January, with our landlord suggesting prolific Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths as a potential option.
A big fan of the Scottish international, he made three great points as to why Griffiths could be the right man for the job on Tyneside…
Struggling up front
With Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joselu boasting just three goals between them so far, Newcastle need to add more goals to their front-line.
Last year’s top scorer Dwight Gayle is yet to find the net, and it is clear that Benitez does not rate the former non-league striker as a Premier League quality forward.
Goals from the midfield and central defender Jamaal Lascelles have earned Newcastle points this year, but this trend cannot continue if the Magpies have their eyes on a surprise top-half finish this season.
Another striker is key, and Griffiths could be the ideal candidate.
A natural goal scorer
Whatever people say about Scottish football, Griffiths’ record is absolutely unbelievable.
Almost a goal every other game during spells with Hibs, Livingston and Dundee, the 27-year-old has 67 goals in 100 league appearances for the Bhoys, and is undoubtedly the best forward in Scotland.
A three year spell with Wolverhampton Wanderers may not have seen the player appear too often, but 12 goals in only 26 league games is a wonderful record.
Goals for Scotland and in the Champions League, there is no denying Griffiths ability to find the net.
Affordable
Celtic are in a strong financial position to demand a respectable fee for the player, but Newcastle will get far better value for money by shopping in Scotland compared to the English game.
Players in this country have become seriously overpriced, and manager Rafa Benitez will not be held to ransom by clubs in the Premier League.
Looking to Scotland could provide the perfect solution to this problem, and Celtic may be willing to sell having signed Griffiths for a nominal fee from Wolves in 2014.
Newcastle need another striker, there is no doubt about this.
Griffiths is one of the prime candidates for the position, but whether Celtic are willing to part with the player will depend on their Champions League campaign, and the fee Newcastle can stump up to bring the player to St James’ Park.
Newcastle fans, is Griffiths the right man for your side to target? Have your say below…
