There has been a recurring theme in Newcastle's season; judge Graeme Souness when he has his own players. In other words, judge him on his record in the transfer market.
So how do we judge his contemporaries? In some cases, very well as our top 10 signings of the season suggests.
Not that there have only been 10 fine buys; there is no place for Blackburn's bargain Aaron Mokoena or the canny January signings of Dean Ashton (Norwich) and Kevin Campbell (West Brom). Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira, half of England's stingiest back four, do not make the final cut. And neither does the PFA Young Player of the Year. But the following do&
10. Gary Speed (Bolton, £750,000)
Sam Allardyce's expertise in the transfer market has helped propel Bolton into the top six. It was a close contest for his most astute signing last summer; El Hadji Diouf has been their catalyst. But there is a downside to Diouf; his ill-discipline triggered their disastrous December.
Gary Speed, in contrast, has been a model of quiet consistency, equally adept in the anchor role or, usually, a more advanced position in the midfield. Even at 35, he is an ever present, his commitment epitomised by the match against Crystal Palace when he played on bloodied and bandaged.
9. Xabi Alonso (Liverpool, £10.5 million)
There are critics of Rafael Benitez's Spanish Armada at Anfield but few of the Basque playmaker. Alonso's wonderful range of passing has made him central to Benitez's Liverpool; indeed, his influence is often greater than Steven Gerrard's.
It is hard to think of a comeback comparable with Alonso's intelligent and assured display against Juventus in Turin. But for the broken foot that ruled him out for the previous three months, he would have ranked higher up this list.
8. Michael Carrick (Tottenham, £2.75 million)
In Tottenham's internecine squabbling, Jacques Santini was the loser and Frank Arnesen vindicated. Michael Carrick, the subject of their bickering, has emerged as the pivotal midfielder under Martin Jol, stroking passes with languid ease.
That Santini never felt the need to pick Carrick in his starting XI seems laughable now; widely admired for several years, he has matured into a high-quality performer who merits comparisons with some of his venerated predecessors in the Spurs midfield.
7. Marcus Bent (Everton, £450,000)
For several years, Marcus Bent occupied a curious position, a little too good for the Football League but unable to cement his place as a Premiership player. When he joined Everton, prophets of doom predicted a third relegation in four seasons.
Instead, Bent spearheaded a challenge for a Champions League place. His selfless running and six goals are proof of David Moyes' shrewdness; that Bent's £450,000 fee is one-sixtieth of Wayne Rooney's price tag makes it all the sweeter for Everton.
6. Peter Crouch (Southampton, £2.5 million)
Peter Crouch for England? The very ideal appeared ludicrous. But that was before the season Crouch answered his critics and justified the £2.5 million fee that either Paul Sturrock or Rupert Lowe paid for him. Both could be forgiven for claming the credit; the Premiership's tallest player has scored 12 in 18 games starts.
Still more surprising is the finesse of some of his finishing, displayed in the cushioned volley against Norwich. Perhaps Graham Taylor was right all along.
5. Zoltan Gera (West Bromwich Albion, £1.5 million)
A decade ago, every self-respecting flair player from Eastern Europe attracted monikers like 'the Baggio of the Balkans' or 'the Maradona of the Carpathians'. Sadly for Zoltan Gera, he hasn't been christened 'the Totti of Smethwick'.
He has, however, been a revelation on the right flank for West Bromwich Albion, displaying a delicate touch and uncommon skill. It came as a surprise to those who had pigeonholed Gary Megson as a puritanical manager; then again, Gera contributed to the opening goal against Birmingham by chasing a seemingly lost cause.
4. Arjen Robben (Chelsea, £12 million)
Statistics often reveal everything except the truth. But it is no statistical anomaly that Robben's presence usually coincides with a Chelsea win.
Robben in full fright is a frightening sight for opponents, Robben on the team sheet a worrying sign for opposing managers.
Chelsea average 2.78 points per game when he plays. Jose Mourinho has admitted he is unsure if Peter Kenyon or Claudio Ranieri signed the Dutch winger; whoever, he is grateful.
3. Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United, £6.75 million)
The chants of 'Argentina' may be designed to rile, but admiration for Manchester United's combative left back is not confined to Old Trafford. The Argentine with the German surname appears ideally suited to English football, bristling with aggression and with both elbows jutting out as he runs.
After his belated arrival following the Copa America and the Olympics, Heinze appeared exempt from Manchester United's squad system. Perhaps Sir Alex Ferguson thought he was indestructible; sadly the injury he sustained against Newcastle proved otherwise and could force him to miss the FA Cup final.
2. Petr Cech (Chelsea, £7 million)
Thirty five games, 13 goals; it is an astonishing defensive record. Petr Cech has quickly established himself as the best keeper in England and a rival for Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas in the world.
And though Chelsea's outlay under Roman Abramovich tops £200 million, Cech's cost was a mere £6 million. Any of the richer clubs could have afforded Cech; Chelsea should reap the benefits of signing him for the next decade. It's not about having the money; it's how you spend it.
1. Tim Cahill (Everton, £1.75 million)
How does a team go from 17th to 4th in a year? Signing a midfielder from a mid-table Championship team wasn't an obvious start. But Tim Cahill has transformed Everton; their 4-5-1 formation depends on his ability to support the lone striker.
In English football, he is rivalled only by Frank Lampard in the timing and frequency of his runs from midfield. Cahill has the invaluable habit of making important contributions all over the pitch, but his goals are crucial.
With 10, he is Everton's top scorer. Take away penalties and he is only one behind Andrew Johnson, who was nominated for PFA Player of the Year. So why wasn't Cahill?
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