So, who is in charge of player recruitment at Newcastle United then? Alan Pardew is the manager, but newly-appointed director of football Joe Kinnear has insisted that he has been given the final say on transfers. In true Newcastle style, it's all a bit of mess!
Whoever it is needs to get it right this summer because the Magpies flirted a little too closely with danger last season.
With the fans unlikely to accept a similar campaign, signings are needed. With that in mind, Sports Mole has complied a list of five players for Pardew and Kinnear to squabble over.
Joleon Lescott, Manchester City
Under the stewardship of Kevin Keegan, Newcastle's philosophy went along the lines of 'we will score one more goal than you'. While it didn't always work, it was entertaining to watch.
There were times last season though when the Newcastle rearguard made Keegan's men look like the stubborn Italian teams that have won the World Cup on four occasions. The six conceded at home to Liverpool in particular was embarrassing, or amusing depending on who you support.
Fabricio Coloccini looks a shadow of his former self, which may have something to do with his desire to return to Argentina, while Steven Taylor spends as much time in the treatment room as he does on the pitch.
Lescott has a point to prove having been dropped down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium and while helping to plug a leaky defence may be a challenge, it's one that may well appeal.
After all, if the 30-year-old could shine for the Magpies, he is likely to be on the plane to next year's World Cup in Brazil - assuming that England qualify, which is no certainty!
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Fabio da Silva, Manchester United
To be fair to Davide Santon he has done a decent job at left-back when asked to play there, but the Italian is not natural to that position. He is far more comfortable operating on the right hand side of the pitch, but that is a void filled by Mathieu Debuchy.
Like Santon, Fabio can play on either flank. Newcastle are light in the full-back area, so the arrival of the Brazilian would provide them with further options.
United may not be keen to part with the 22-year-old permanently, but following a disastrous loan spell with Queens Park Rangers during the last campaign, the Red Devils may be prepared for him to try his luck elsewhere for another season.
He would bring some pace and agility to the Newcastle side, as well as possessing the energy to get forward and support his winger. He also has experience of big matches, having played in the 2011 Champions League final.
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Victor Moses, Chelsea
Quite what Pardew was thinking when he signed Gabriel Obertan, only he knows. The Frenchman looked out of his depth at Man United and has failed to improve upon that on Tyneside.
Depressingly though, along with Jonas Gutierrez, he is one of limited wide options at Newcastle right now.
In a similar way to Lescott, Moses should be hungry for a move. He has done okay at Chelsea, but with Jose Mourinho linked with signing the world and his wife, the Nigerian's chances at Stamford Bridge could be even more limited this time around.
He has the skill and pace that would make him a firm favourite with the Newcastle faithful, as well as being someone that can score goals from deep positions.
If Hatem Ben Arfa is to be sold this summer like the rumourmill has suggested, then former Wigan star Moses would be a very good replacement for the French international.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Saint-Etienne
Papiss Cisse has probably had The Clash's 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go' playing on a loop since the season ended. Reports have claimed that the Senegal international is of interest to numerous clubs and that he is eager to listen to any offers.
So, where should Newcastle look for a replacement? France, obviously. In a Saint-Etienne side that was always fighting towards the top end of the table, Aubameyang netted 21 goals in all competitions last season.
The year before he hit 18 and at the age of 24, the Gabon international seems to be a striker that is discovering his clinical touch as he gets older.
Newcastle reportedly made two bids for him in January when it became clear that Demba Ba was heading for Chelsea, but both were rejected.
His form since then has resulted in speculation that he has fixed his ambitions on Champions League football, but the swelling French contingent in the North-East may well help to sway his decision.
Darren Bent, Aston Villa
Okay, hold your horses. Yes Bent did play for Sunderland, but does that really matter? Of course, some supporters would not want to see the England international in a black and white shirt and will not be convinced otherwise.
But, if Cisse gets on his bike, the fact of the matter is that the lack of goals in the squad is alarming.
Bent has shown throughout his career that if nothing else, he knows where the net is. What's more, he had one of his best spells at Charlton Athletic under the management of Pardew, scoring 37 goals in 79 appearances for the Addicks.
He could be relatively cheap as well, what with him having seemingly fallen out with Paul Lambert at Villa Park.
Granted the rivalry between the Geordies and the Mackems is a big one, but is it not something that a few important goals wouldn't smooth over where this transfer is concerned?
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Liam Apicella
