Have Lessons Been Learned, Is There A Plan B?
Defensive Cover A Must As No Mariappa Deal As Yet
With Newcastle apparently submitting a 3rd improved bid for Watford's Adrian Mariappa it seems they have decided he is the man they want to come in and offer defensive cover but what worries me is whether we have learnt from mistakes in previous windows and have a plan B and even C or D lined up.
You get the impression that Watford are not going to let him go without a fight and with Swansea now also apparently interested we could see a bidding war start something that Newcastle in recent years have been keen to avoid when it comes to transfers.
Whilst the signing of Papsiss Cisse was a massive boost to everyone I think everyone can see that a new central defender is the priority and has been ever since Steven Taylor got injured before Christmas.
The fact Coloccini is doubtful for tomorrows game after picking up a knock further highlights this and I would go as far to say as whether we get a defender in before the window shuts will have a massive bearing on how the rest of our season goes.
If Mariappa is the man we want then I have no problem with persisting to a point and I also don't have a problem with us haggling to get the best price but there has to be a point before the deadline where we are willing to walk away and look at another target - we can't afford risking taking this one to the wire and ending up with nothing when the window closes.
I would even take a loan signing if that is what we need to do obviously as long as it is someone that is better than what we have. I just pray we have learnt from past mistakes for once and don't put all our eggs in one basket and assume Watford cave in and Mariappa will definitely end up arriving.
