According to The Chronicle's Chief Newcastle United Writer Lee Ryder, Newcastle have appointed former Leeds and Rotherham boss Neil Redfearn to work with Ben Dawson as coach for the Under-23s.

This is an encouraging sign in the right direction for fans of The Magpies, who must believe that their club are stagnating.

Whilst the club are failing to produce results on the pitch, and had a very uneventful transfer window, this news shows that the club are going in the right direction in some things.

Newcastle's academy has been poor over the recent years, barely producing any players that have gone on to make the grade in the Premier League. However, this new appointment may show a change in attitude from senior figures at the club.

Redfearn recently led women's side Doncaster Rovers Belles to the FA Women's Championship, before having a very brief stint with Liverpool Women. He has experience of managing a variety of teams, and this will be invaluable with the under-23s. The club will need a manager with the experience to actually produce the players that the club want to see performing at St James' Park in years to come.

The Newcastle senior team are currently winless in the Premier League this season, having only managed two draws in their opening seven games. They were one of two clubs that came out of the summer transfer window in profit, and that appears to be costing them already. While they do not have any new transfers to turn to, they have barely any academy players to rely on either. However, that may be about to change with this appointment.