... his failings on the last day of the August market when he left it too late to get results with four deals. So what is he waiting for?
It seems pretty obvious, as Glenn Roeder is AGAIN left to respond to Newcastle's lack of activity in the transfer market by making excuses. Roeder is once again on the back-foot, declaring he would rather go into the second half of the season with what he has already got than sign players who will not fit into his long-term plans.
Roeder is trying his hardest to strengthen the squad, but Freddy again goes into hiding.
United have made two loan bids for players but there is a growing possibility the Magpies will not sign any players on permanent deals until the summer. And we get the feeling the chairman is keeping a low profile because he has no intention of "splashing the cash".
Roeder: "I want players here for the next three years who are on an upward curve. The players I want to buy, their clubs are reluctant to sell. I want players who haven't peaked yet. I was hoping I would have had a breakthrough by now on one of them. That has not happened, but having said that, the door has not been shut on that player either. I am just waiting for an answer.
"If we can just secure one or two players who I believe would have a long-term future at Newcastle, I feel confident the chairman will do everything he can to find funds to make that happen.
"But we are not just going to take players for the sake of it. You could sign a bad player every day between now and January 31, but what would that do for you other than give you a lot of aggravation?"