Three things learned about Newcastle v West Ham: Summer signing deserved the axe
Newcastle down to the bare bones
Newcastle fans would have been shocked by manager Rafael Benitez’s decision to make five changes to the side, but it demonstrates just how threadbare the Magpies’ squad is right now.
Injuries to Mikel Merino and Isaac Hayden, neither midfielder among the squad on Saturday, saw Mo Diame and the previously outcast Henri Saivet into the line up, and it is evident that the club needs investment in January.
Whether Benitez gets what he wants is another matter, but with injuries and suspensions a constant threat in football, it could be a disaster were the squad not beefed up in the winter window.
Click below to see the second thing we learned in Newcastle United’s clash v West Ham