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Newcastle: Will Pelle change it again?

Fredericks may return

We should be playing Sunderland at the London Stadium tonight, instead we are considering what sort of team the manager will be putting out on Saturday!

He has some hard thinking today because despite being fourth off bottom, Newcastle are only four points behind us and although it’s meaningless at this point hold a win over us in the Chinese pre-season.

One thing’s for sure, the manager ill not be deserting his attacking principles and it will be fascinating to see whether we are in for more wholesale changes this weekend.

I don’t see it but I imagine there maybe one or two!

At the back I see Fredericks returning although I a personally always feel safer with Zaba in the team given the former Fulham man’s tendency to blow hot and cold. However, his pace  and athleticism may be what’s required in a game where we must attack.

I imagine  Balbuena will remain as I don’t think Pelle included him last time to  make a point, whatever that may have been, so expect him to continue alongside Diop.

However, I reckon there may be the possibility of him bringing back Masuaku – not a decision many would agree with – but in a game he must win he may well go for big attacking options on both sides of the back four.

Rice and Noble are givens in midfield and then we get to the tricky bit- attacking midfield and up top.

Anderson has to remain given the 75 minutes he produced on Saturday which really should have been 90 and it was interesting that Sam Inkersole of Football:London pointed out he’s only been used for 90 minutes twice this season.

Bizarre!

Yarmolenko is a fixture in Antonio’s absence and  and Robert Snodgrass must play with of course Haller up front.

The only way that can change is for Lanzini to be given the 10 role with strict instructions to stay close to the striker with Anderson being told to roam free.

However, Here’s how I believe the manager may call it: Roberto , Fredericks, Diop, Balbuena, Masuaku, Rice, Noble, Yarmolenko, Snodgrass, Anderson, Haller.

Bench: Martin, Zaba, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Wilshere, Lanzini, Ajeti

 

About Hugh5outhon1895

Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!" Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

2 comments on “Newcastle: Will Pelle change it again?

  1. Sort of agree Hugh but I would still have Cressie in and see how it is panning out..certainly give Snoddy again as Anderson starts but we NEED support for SEB ..I feel.for the fella in a one up.front roll..it was never his game in the Bundersliga with Frankfurt and the few res he did play that roll.the management saw it didn’t work!! Over to you MP

  2. I may be a fool but it would be interesting to try 4-1-2-1-2

    Roberto
    Cresswell, Ogbonna, Diop, Fredericks
    Rice
    Noble, Snodgrass
    Anderson
    Yarmolenko, Haller

    Bench
    Martin, Zaba, Balbuena, Wilshere, Fornals, Lanzini, Ajeti

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