Thursday 4 February 2016 00:35, UK
Newcastle were the biggest spenders in Europe during the winter transfer window but it didn’t prove particularly helpful as they went down 3-0 to Everton at Goodison Park.
Jonjo Shelvey, a £12m signing from Swansea, had shown encouraging form against West Ham and Watford with fellow new boy Henri Saivet starting alongside him in midfield during the second of those matches.
But joined in the starting line-up by another £12m signing Andros Townsend, they endured a tougher time against the Toffees.
While loan signing Seydou Doumbia had to wait for his debut, remaining on the bench as an unused substitute, here's all you need to know about how the other new boys got on at Goodison Park…
Jonjo Shelvey
Shelvey had sprayed the ball all around St James' Park in his first outing in a Newcastle shirt, but after seeing the best of their new signing that day, this was a reminder of the flaws.
Back on Merseyside, the midfielder was partially culpable for Aaron Lennon's opening goal, failing to intercept a lofted pass forwards in the centre of the pitch that seemed within his range.
He could then do nothing to stop the breakaway with Everton's movement typical of the way he was bypassed for much of the game.
With Newcastle enjoying little possession, there were few opportunities for Shelvey to showcase his passing range and when they did come, he failed to impress.
"Shelvey is normally so assured with his passing - that's what he's in the team for," said Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe. "But three or four times he gave the ball away very cheaply."
Henri Saivet
The 25-year-old Senegal international had a key role in midfield sweeping up behind Shelvey and there were signs of his capabilities in the early stages.
Saivet won possession of the ball more times than any other player on the pitch in the opening 45 minutes, also making more interceptions than the rest of his Newcastle team-mates.
"He's made a very good start," said Hinchcliffe on co-commentary. "That defensive work is so important." However, he soon appeared rattled once the goal went in.
One miscontrol allowed the ball to run under his foot and too often Saivet gave possession of the ball away cheaply, causing pressure to build. He was withdrawn 10 minutes after the break.
Andros Townsend
"Poor final ball from Andros Townsend." Hinchcliffe's words came at the end of a fine driving run of purpose and power in the early stages, but the conclusion was all too familiar.
There was plenty of optimism and endeavour to Townsend's performance and the fact that he made more sprints than any of his Newcastle team-mates is to his credit given the lack of first-team action.
But for all his work, defensively and offensively, the fact that Townsend failed to complete any of his crosses, whether on the right or left, will be a concern.
Conclusion
Doumbia might have fancied his chances in the second half when Newcastle pushed for an equaliser, but this was a reminder that it needs more than new arrivals to arrest this team's slide.
Indeed, Steve McClaren might well be more concerned by the problems at left-back, while his centre-backs struggled to deal with the threat posed by Arouna Kone and Ross Barkley.
"The likes of Shelvey and Townsend are solid players and they will give the team something going forwards," concluded Hinchcliffe.
The likes of Shelvey and Townsend are solid players and they will give the team something going forwards. But defensively you worry about Newcastle.
"But defensively you worry about Newcastle. They're probably going to have to score three every game to get something and that's a recipe for relegation."
A home fixture against West Brom on Saturday offers the chance to bounce back and it's one Newcastle's players - new and old - must seize if they are to lift the club out of the drop zone.
