Jenas urges Newcastle to buy 'fighters and characters' to stay up

‘As it stands, this is a team that is getting relegated’: Jermaine Jenas urges Newcastle to buy ‘fighters and characters’ in January to boost their chances of staying in the top-flight

  • Newcastle took the lead against Liverpool but fell to a 3-1 defeat at Anfield
  • The Magpies have claimed just one league win this season and sit 19th place
  • Jermaine Jenas and Joe Cole would have Newcastle in their bottom three
  • Both pundits have agreed that Newcastle need to improve at centre-back   

Jermaine Jenas has spoken of the importance of the January transfer window for Newcastle, stating the Magpies are currently heading towards relegation.

Eddie Howe’s side took the lead against Liverpool at Anfield through Jonjo Shelvey, only to lose the game 3-1 thanks to goals from Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The result leaves them in 19th place and three points off safety – though Watford in 17th have a game in hand.

Newcastle took the lead against Liverpool but fell to a 3-1 defeat against the title challengers

Goals from Diogo Jota, Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold (pictured) helped Liverpool take all three points

Newcastle have claimed just one Premier League win all season and former player Jenas has urged the club to bring in ‘fighters and characters’ in January.

He said on BT Sport: ‘Defence is a key area (for Newcastle in January), as clear as day for a long time. 

‘Their away record is disastrous, they don’t look like they can keep a clean sheet.

‘Who can shore things up? These players’ confidence in defence is shot, they need a good few experienced centre-backs to do a job and guide them through this period. 

Jermaine Jenas has urged Newcastle to buy ‘fighters and characters’ to stay in the top-flight

Newcastle have claimed just one Premier League win this season and sit 19th in the table

‘When I went to QPR when (Loic) Remy, (Jose) Bosingwa, Park (ji-Sung) were there, but best signing Harry Redknapp made was (Andros) Townsend, unfortunately Newcastle are gonna go through this process, cannot stop mercenaries turning up taking money, they are desperate.

‘As it stands, this is a team that is getting relegated, comes down to who they bring in. Are they fighters and characters?’

Newcastle should have plenty of money to spend in January after the Saudi-led takeover of the club back in October – which made them the richest club in world football.

Joe Cole agreed with Jenas that Newcastle need a new centre-back but has urged the club not to ‘panic buy’.

He said: Centre of defence, they need a specific type of player, they need grafters, need players who you know what you are gonna get, talent in forwards areas, (Callum) Wilson can get goal, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jonjo Shelvey, but more difficult to bring those defensive players in with Covid.

Joe Cole agreed with Jenas by claiming that the Magpies need to improve in defence

‘Relegation would not bother owners too much, but you cannot panic buy, Eddie is logical, he will pinpoint two or three, think they will be right players, don’t see more than that coming in. 

‘At the moment, I would say it’s a mountain to climb, but there have been glimpses in every game, will be down to two or three players that come in. 

‘Eddie got tactics right tonight (against Liverpool), but in the back four there is enough individual errors to cost you goals. I would put them in my bottom three right now.’




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