Newcastle United's women's side are making no secret of their intent. The Magpies have wrapped up the signing of Scotland international Rachel McLauch...
Newcastle United's women's side are making no secret of their intent. The Magpies have wrapped up the signing of Scotland international Rachel McLauchlan from Brighton, bringing a player who knows exactly what it takes to scrap in the second tier. One look at the WSL 2 table and you see the ambition; the noise is not just a shout from the terraces. This is a club that wants out of this division.Rachel McLauchlan is a defender who thrives on the dirty work. At Brighton, she was often asked to sit deep, to absorb pressure, and to break up play in the congested midfield zones. She is not a flashy full back bombing down the wing. She is a proper defender who reads the game well, steps into the low block, and makes the simple pass to start transitional play. That kind of experience is gold dust in a league where many sides park the bus and look to nick a goal on the break. For a Newcastle side that will surely face many low blocks this season, having a calm head at the back who can snuff out danger before it arrives is a huge asset.Does this signing push them over the edge It is too early to say that, but it is a clear signal. Newcastle are not just filling a shirt; they are building a spine. McLauchlan adds international quality and a fierce competitive edge. From a tactical perspective, her arrival gives the manager a player who can shift between a back four and a back three without the system collapsing. You cannot put a price on that kind of flexibility when the squeaky bum time of a promotion run arrives.Brighton's loss is very much Newcastle's gain. The undisclosed fee suggests a deal that suited both parties, but you sense the Magpies have got a player whose best years are ahead of her. Scottish grit, Premier League experience, and a point to prove. That is a potent mix, and it is exactly the kind of attitude you need if you want to be in the mixer for promotion. Watch this space, because Newcastle are building something that smells of business.
