Newcastle United In Efficient Transfer Activity Shock

Of course, there is a big difference attracting players in the Championship when you're the shark in the pool. Bit harder when you're back among the fish, competing with other Premier League clubs back in the top flight but credit where credit is due.

If Victor Moses signs - and I've been told he is desperate to come to St James' Park instead of Nottingham Forest or WBA - Newcastle's squad will be better at the close of the window than it was at the start.

You would have liked to think that normally happens, but it hasn't in recent years has it.

Wayne Routledge is a useful addition, Mike Williamson looked very solid on his debut, Fitz Hall is an experienced Championship player who offers cover across the back four and Patrick van Aanholt is good cover for Jose Enrique at left back for the next month.

However, much hangs on the Moses deal now. The defence has been shored up and let's face it, no matter how much Hughton tries to fudge the issue, Steven Taylor is going to missing for months rather than just weeks, but the Magpies look short in attack.

Moses would be an excellent signing. Young, quick and explosive. He is precisely the sort of player Newcastle should be looking to sign, a player whose career is on an upward curve. A player with something to prove rather than one who likes to dine out on past achievements.

However, until it actually happens I'll remain dubious and if they don't get another striker I worry about where the goals are going to come from and another injury to either Andy Carroll or Peter Lovenkrands would be tough to deal with.

Jermaine Beckford was supposedly desperate to come to Newcastle at the start of the month and ended up staying at Leeds and I wonder whether the agent's willingness to publicly reveal United's interest is an attempt to firm up interest elsewhere from Premier League clubs.

Newcastle are going to be in a bidding war over the next few days, but I'd say it is worth paying £2m for him at this stage, get the transfer dealing done and dusted and then concentrate on making sure they complete their promotion mission.

How many of the current squad will be good enough in the Premier League is a question which must be answered at some point, but it only becomes an answer to worry about when promotion is secure.

This squad should be good enough to get Newcastle up and that is all that matters at the moment.