This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Newcastle United midfielder Matty Longstaff is reportedly a January loan target for Derby County. 

The 20-year-old has had limited opportunities at St James' Park this term and, according to the Sunday Mirror (Page 72, 29/09), they're eyeing taking the midfielder on loan when the transfer window opens.

But would that be a good move? And would he be a good signing?

We asked our FLW writers for their thoughts...

George Dagless

I think it's worth a go.

Derby need something right now and having a player like Longstaff who will bring quality on the ball and also real industry and spark could help them turn things around.

The Rams need to roll their sleeves up at the moment and take responsibility for where they are in the table.

Only they can solve it and bringing in players like Longstaff that will genuinely add to the battling spirit that they need at the moment makes sense to me.

George Harbey 

I wouldn't say it's a signing they need to make to be honest.

Derby have a plethora of midfielders at the club, and if you looked at the outfield areas, you'd say that the midfield doesn't really need to be strengthened.

For me, it's essential that they strengthen in both boxes. They need to bolster their defensive ranks with a leader, and they also need another out-and-out striker to support Colin Kazim-Richards.

Longstaff is a good player, though. He is good on the ball, has an eye for a pass and has a good tackle on him, and he would be eager to prove a point having fallen out of favour under Steve Bruce at Newcastle.

But for me, he is far too similar to what they have already got, and he wouldn't really improve the squad to be honest. They shouldn't sign players just for the sake of it.

McClaren? Clement? Who was the Derby County manager when each of these 15 Rams moments happened?

 

Jacob Potter

This is a signing that would make sense.

Derby haven't been anywhere near good enough this season in the Championship, and reinforcements are certainly needed in the January transfer window.

The Rams need players that are going to be eager to perform to a high standard straight away, and Longstaff fits that description perfectly.

We've already seen glimpses of what he can offer, having caught the eye with some strong performances for Newcastle United's first-team in the last couple of seasons.

But he'll know that he needs regular game time at this stage of his career, and a loan move to Derby could present him with the ideal opportunity to do just that.

It's a deal that makes sense for all parties involved here.