Toon Crier: Transfer Window Closed Edition

The Transfer Window is closed in Europe. Newcastle did most of its dealings this month before the deadline. As we reported earlier, Xisco has officially left the club. That was really about it for 11th hour drama for the Toon.

Newcastle did sign Swiss defender Kevin Mbabu to the reserve squad. He's had a successful trial spell with Newcastle, an hopes to eventually break into the first team.

NUFC is looking to emulate Everton with their signings, says The Journal. Mike Ashley and company hope the big signings lead to a second half surge.

Sammy Ameobi says the club has been trying to help the French signings feel at home. My personal favorite part is they did France vs the World in training, with the world winning 5-0. Sammy added "#thatsawkward".

The Mag looks at January signings over the years and looks for some patterns.

The games do go on....here's a preview of our match with Chelsea.

You may remember that Chelsea signed Demba Ba. Yohan Cabaye says Ba will be his worst enemy during the match, but later they'll go out for a meal.

Around SBN's most excellent soccer network:

We Ain't Got No History does a wrap on Chelsea's transfer window.

Since the comparison's to Everton were made earlier, it should be noted that's Everton from last year. They didn't do much this window, says Royal Blue Mersey.

Our Reading blog, The Tilehurst End, talks tactics, comparing the 4-3-2-1 to the 4-4-2.

World Cup Qualifying begins again with the Hex in North America. Stars and Stripes FC examines the Honduras side that will face the United States.

Since I have a weakness for soccer books, Hot Time in Old Town's review of The Ball is Round was of interest to me.