Post Liverpool: Kinnear issues window warning

The pure and simple truth after yesterday`s game was that, as well as being totally outclassed, Newcastle lacked any decent cover in a number of positions. With Beye and Bassong out, the defence looked a totally different unit to the one that kept clean sheets against Chelsea, Boro and Pompey in the November / December period. The midfield lacked bite and up front we were left with a hip-op victim and a rookie as support for Michael Owen.

Joe Kinnear though has outlined the club`s plans for the transfer window. Having already specified he was in contact with four players, this might as well be doubled after Sunday`s effort. Kinnear said:

"January will be hectic on and off the field. We need to address that situation immediately. And that`s the message I am getting across to Mike Ashley and the board of directors. If we are looking for a team for the future and want to go forward and make a statement against teams like Liverpool, we must strengthen.

Against Liverpool you could see how big the gap is. The players I am looking at bringing in are players who can come straight into the team. But I will have to make some changes. I was looking at certain areas, assuming that everybody was fit and well. But due to the length of time people are out injured it could change.

Now it is a case of finding out exactly how long people are going to be out for. Beye`s on crutches and you`d think he`s going to be out at least three weeks. Viduka`s got a torn groin muscle, and I`d think he would be at least three weeks as well. Oba Martins will be at least two weeks minimum.

We already know Joey Barton is down, and with Nicky Butt going down against Liverpool, who knows what the team will be at Hull? I can`t see any of the injured players coming back. If we get our best team out we are fine, but the strength of the squad needs to be much better.

It highlighted that we haven`t got enough strength about us. They were head and shoulders above us. Nicky Butt cramped up and had to go off so when you look at our bench, who else do you play? It was one of those scenarios.

I could have put a younger team out, but the fact was we were playing Liverpool. But at least Sebastien Bassong is free from suspension next week. I`m not saying he would have made a massive difference, but had he been in the team he would have made a difference in the air."

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