It’s about squad quality progression. If we can give Moyes a squad that’s stronger overall than the one he finished last season with then you hope that translates into improved league position and therefore finances for the club. You then look to improve every window thereafter. That might mean there’s a few players everyone in there might not love but if they’re better than their counterparts last season then it’s a step in the right direction. Everyone obviously wants to take the biggest one possible but that’s not always possible in every position given the budget we have.
Newcastle bought in Wood, Matt Targett, Trippier, Dan Burn, Pope in their early windows alongside the big ticket items like Guimaraes and Isak. None of those names are particularly exciting but they all raised the quality of the squad at the time. They also made very good use of Willock Schar Murphy Joelinton and Almiron who weren’t flash names but were in the squad already.
A lot of what Moyes has to do will be similar. Turn around players already in the squad: he’s revitalised Beto and O’Brien, perhaps he thinks he can get much more from Patterson and Iroegbunam? Bring through youth: perhaps he wants to keep pathways in the team for Armstrong Chermiti and Heath?. Add in some solid squad players to the mix, and then find the difference maker signings (e.g realistically what Barry needs to be)
