OPINION
If Rafa Benitez wants to steer Newcastle United clear of relegation this season, he must get his January recruitment absolutely spot on.
The Magpies are one of just two winless sides left in the Premier League, with their haul of just two points from nine games so far already putting them in danger of the drop.
Obviously there is still a lot of time left in the season, but their poor form and lack of goals so far have set the alarm bells ringing on Tyneside.
The upcoming January window offers a chance for Benitez to beef up his squad for the fight ahead, and there are several areas of priority he must address.
It is clear for all to see that the Magpies’ main problems lie in attack, with just six goals in nine games so far putting them amongst the worst attacking sides in the division.
The other area of concern is at full-back, with a lack of cover in place on both flanks and a dearth of pace on the left flank with Paul Dummett their first choice.
One area where you would think there is little concern is centre-back, with Benitez having Jamaal Lascelles, Federico Fernandez, Fabian Schar and Ciaran Clark to call upon, with Florian Lejeune returning from injury at some point.
That being said, the Magpies are being heavily linked with a move for SPAL centre-back Francesco Vicari, with both Calciomercato and Sport Mediaset linking them with the 24-year-old.
Vicari is a good, young centre-back with a bright future, but a January swoop from Newcastle makes no sense at all.
They need more attacking players and ideally a new full-back on each flank, and they most certainly do not need a new centre-back.
Such a move would be a waste of Benitez’s time, and more importantly, a waste of precious money, with owner Mike Ashley unlikely to free up significant funds in January.
The fact that there are two reports from Italy concerning this move is slightly worrying, and suggests that there could be something in this.
If so, then Benitez is on the completely wrong track ahead of the January window, and Newcastle fans should buckle up for the longest season that they have ever experienced.
