Newcastle United ‘need’ multiple signings now after ‘upsetting’ development – Agbonlahor
Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Newcastle United to add multiple squad players to their ranks after the “upsetting” FA Cup loss against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (7 January).
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the Magpies must improve their “second string” in order to win domestic trophies and compete in a potential Champions League campaign next term.
The likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Elliot Anderson, Jamal Lewis, and Matt Richie started as Newcastle fell at Hillsborough – just their second loss of the 2022-23 campaign.
Eddie Howe’s side bounced back from the disappointment to beat Leicester 2-0 in the League Cup on Tuesday (10 January) and reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Newcastle’s last major domestic honour came in 1955 and the Magpies are inching towards a first top-four finish in 20 seasons.
They sit third in the Premier League having lost just one top-flight game all season.
When asked if the FA Cup loss demonstrates how Newcastle need to add more quality to their squad, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “100%.
“Newcastle are going to be in these European and cup competitions now, and their fans want a trophy.
“They need a trophy, so to lose in the FA Cup will have been upsetting.
“They need a second string which can go out and win games. They can’t rely on Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron, Callum Wilson. They need fringe players who can turn up.
“It’s a building process. Financial fair play means they can’t go out and buy every player they want.
“It took Man City years.
“I’m sure time is ticking for a lot of players in and around the first-team at Newcastle.”
In other news, ex-Fifa official suggests drastic new action as FA launch Newcastle United fan probe.