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Newcastle United: Top five all-time transfer deadline day misses

By Roy Emanuel

LONDON - DECEMBER 29: Michael Owen of Newcastle United prepares to come on as a substitute as manager Sam Allardyce looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 29, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON - DECEMBER 29: Michael Owen of Newcastle United prepares to come on as a substitute as manager Sam Allardyce looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 29, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
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NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 05: Abdoulaye Faye of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Reading at St James’ Park on April 05, 2008 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM – APRIL 05: Abdoulaye Faye of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Reading at St James’ Park on April 05, 2008 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images) /

Abdoulaye Faye (2007)

Fans expect their club’s players to have an impact instantly, and the hype of deadline day transfers can set expectations far too high. In some respects, that was the fate for Abdoulaye Faye and Newcastle United when the defender arrived in the summer of 2007.

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That year was one of the truly monumental times in club history, as Mike Ashley’s takeover changed things at St. James’ Park forever. Manager Sam Allardyce was appointed at the end of the previous term and made several signings ahead of the new campaign.

Faye was presented at half-time of a match against Wigan, but the atmosphere that was present at that point in the North East did not allow him to thrive. Allardyce was sacked in January following poor results, Nigel Pearson resumed a familiar short-term caretaker role and Kevin Keegan returned for another stint at the helm.

The Senegalese international made 22 league appearances, and scored a goal in a 5-1 loss to Manchester United in February of 2008. Despite signing an initial three-year deal with the Magpies, Faye joined Stoke City just six months later.

What stings about his time with Newcastle is the success that followed, earning Player of the Season honours with Tony Pulis and Stoke the very next season.

The lesson learned in Abdoulaye Faye’s transfer is that succeeding within a toxic environment is not an easy task, and often impossible.

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