A whole new Toon defence?

By Matthew Jones
December 3 2002

Newcastle are desperately in need for some new defensive faces after the Magpies have conceded 17 goals since the start of November. Dabizas, Bramble and O'Brien amongst others have been warned that they could be dropped.

Newcastle coach John Carver has warned the Magpies' leaky defence that the club are not afraid to enter the January transfer market.
The St James' Park number two admits that the Magpies need a commanding figure at the heart of a team which has let in 17 goals since the start of November.

And he has warned current central defenders, Nikos Dabizas, Titus Bramble and Andy O'Brien amongst others, that their places could be under threat if the club land what he describes as "a leader at the back. When the window opens, we'll be in the market looking for whatever player we need. Any successful team needs to be organised with a sound, solid base, a good defence and a spine through the middle.

"We need a leader at the back but it's not easy finding them. We've got young Titus Bramble - one of the up-and-coming centre-backs in British football. But he's been injured. We have to get it right at the back - to get it defensively sound."

Newcastle's inconsistent defence has often been blamed by fans as the difference between winning and finishing second best in recent seasons as their 33-year wait to land a trophy continues.