Brighton and Aston Villa experts believe new Toon arrivals Dan Burn and Matt Targett have what it takes to drag Newcastle United out of the relegation zone.
A dramatic transfer deadline day saw two players arrive on Tyneside and join the Saudi-led revolution at St James’ Park.
Both Burn and Targett were signed from rival Premier League clubs as the new owners worked relentlessly to give Eddie Howe's squad the best chance of top-flight survival.
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The former - previously on the books at Newcastle but released as an 11-year-old schoolboy - made a £13million switch after an impressive resurgence at Brighton under Graham Potter.
Ben Spalding, from Seagulls Social, thinks the Blyth-born defender will raise his game now he is playing for his boyhood club.
“Dan Burn will be a brilliant character in the dressing room and set a great example for the other players,” he told ChronicleLive.
“He gives his best in every match and, with Newcastle being his club, those levels will only go up.
“He didn’t moan last season when playing left wing-back and getting hate from some Brighton fans. He stuck to his job and proved the haters wrong with his performances.”
Life was not always easy for Burn on the south coast, with many Brighton fans unsure if the 6ft 7in defender was good enough to cut it in the Premier League.
However, the 29-year-old’s form has U-turned this campaign and the Geordie had become somewhat of a cult hero at the Amex.
While Spalding admits that the Seagulls faithful will be sad to see Burn leave, he does hold some doubts as to whether the 29-year-old can replicate those heroics on Tyneside.
“If you asked the majority of Brighton fans a year ago about how they’d feel if Dan Burn left, I can confidently say that they would’ve been happy.
“Now, after proving us all wrong, he’s become a fan favourite and although we’re very sad to see him go, we’re also happy to see him play for his boyhood club and we wish him all the best.
“I must say, I’m slightly worried about whether Burn will be a success at Newcastle. It’s going to be interesting to see how he does under Eddie Howe and a new system.
“We can all see that Graham Potter gets the best out of his Brighton players and we’ll have to see if Eddie can do the same.”
The signing of Villa’s Targett provides Howe with a Premier League-proven option at left-back.
Aston Villa Statto believes the 26-year-old has the right attitude to become a fans’ favourite.
“Matt Targett is a solid left-back for most Premier League teams,” he told ChronicleLive.
“He works hard and is good defensively - often putting his body on the line for the cause.
“However, he plays better in a flat back four with a very solid player in front of him. He looked lost earlier this season when playing in a back five.
“I wouldn’t say he is a 10 at anything but he is also not a 4/5 at anything, either. A solid player and one that Newcastle fans can get behind.
The 26-year-old was voted Player’s Player of the Season last season but, just seven months later, has been shipped out on loan by new manager Steven Gerrard.
The Aston Villa expert believes the arrival of Lucas Digne has forced Targett’s hand, citing the lack of future first-team opportunities as the key reason for his departure.
“Gerrard has spoken about competition for places and Targett had been the only option for Villa in that position,” he added.
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“Now Villa have added to the squad depth by signing Lucas Digne, it seems Targett is no longer first choice and does not want to fight for the shirt.”
There was some good news for Toon fans as the Villa analyst thinks Targett’s experience of playing in previous relegation battles will be beneficial to Newcastle.
“I believe he is an upgrade for Newcastle and he has helped Villa fight off relegation before - so he knows what it takes.
“Give him protection and he will be fine but leave him isolated in a one on one situation and I would not be so confident.”
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