Your Newcastle United evening headlines for Tuesday, 22 December.
Eddie Howe's Joelinton gamble is paying off even if Gabriel Agbonlahor thinks otherwise
Andrew Musgrove writes in support of Joelinton.
"I don’t see anything that I’m watching that shows me any quality," former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has said of Joelinton as the now-pundit criticises those praising the Brazilian.
It's harsh on the Newcastle player, but the very fact that I'm refusing to call Joelinton a forward, as he was bought in, shows why those who fail to watch the club week-in, week out might still see him as a £40m flop.
Agbonlahor makes the point that Joelinton hasn't scored many goals - only once this season, against Brentford, that he 'looks busy,' and any praise for him is 'baffling'.
We'll excuse Agbonlahor's comments on the fact that he clearly doesn't follow Newcastle religiously and we'll give him the benefit of the doubt that he hasn't seen the games of late-minute by the minute - for those who have, would see exactly why Joelinton is gaining so much praise.
It is fair to point out that Joelinton was signed as a big-money striker but it's equally right to point out that he never looked comfortable with that responsibility but was working under a previous manager - Steve Bruce - who didn't know how to get the best out of him.
In just a matter of weeks, Eddie Howe has come in and turned Joelinton from a fans' frustration to a fans' favourite - and into a midfield enforcer.
Newcastle 'leading race' to sign Tottenham centre-back Joe Rodon
Newcastle United are 'leading the race' to sign Tottenham and Wales international Joe Rodon.
The Telegraph claims Eddie Howe's side are pushing to sign the centre-back on loan until the end of the season.
The Welsh international has found game time hard to come by since the arrival of Antonio Conte, playing just once since the arrival of the Italian.
Leeds United, Watford and Brighton are also reportedly keen on signing the former Swansea defender.
The Magpies have one of the worst defensive records in the division and are in desperate need of reinforcements.
Newcastle owners' additions hint at reassuring transfer plan
Newcastle United may have the richest owners in the world, but do not expect Eddie Howe to change tack in January.
Howe has regularly tapped into his contacts over the years, such as recruitment consultant Anton Robinson, who once played for him, to find out more about his targets, whether it is their living situation, their interests outside the game or their internal motivations.
Given Newcastle's newfound wealth, these character references are going to be even more important in order to sign players who want to join the club for the right reasons as the Magpies bid to stay up.
David Webb, who was Bournemouth's head of recruitment for a spell during Howe's time at the Vitality Stadium, has no doubt the Newcastle boss will leave no stone unturned in that respect.
"For Eddie, once you had done all your recruitment work, in terms of the profile you wanted, the position, the need, the athletic capability, the technical side, the tactical side and the data side, it was about finding out intimate bits about the player's character," he told ChronicleLive.
