Three weeks without the Prem. Just what everybody wanted… Who actually comes up with these ideas? Even quite a few of the England players don’t seem to fancy it. But anyway, after watching Newcastle against Hull, though, this one has arrived in the nick of time for us.
By the time Hull reached St James’ Park, Matthias Jaissle was working with the bare bones. Dan Burn, Amar Dedić, Anthony Elanga, Nico González, Joelinton, Tino Livramento, William Osula and Jacob Ramsey were all unavailable. There was little
established senior cover on the bench, and by the closing stages Newcastle looked completely spent and leaderless.
Given the depleted squad, Jaissle’s opening weeks deserve credit, but so far it has been hard to judge what his first 11 would actually be with more senior players available. He has largely maintained his 4 2 3 1, but keeping the same formation is rather different from being able to pick the players you want within it. If the injury situation improves before Coventry, we might finally get a clearer idea of his preferences.
It also gives us something to argue about during the break. Who comes straight back in, and who has done enough to keep their place?
Dan Burn brings more than another defensive option
Lewis Hall is the first name on the team sheet these days and obviously starts. If Burn is fully fit, I would bring him back alongside Malick Thiaw. Thiaw looks the strongest candidate to retain his place, which would mean Sven Botman making way initially, although there should be enough football ahead to make rotation sensible.
The case for Burn goes beyond defending. Newcastle have lost a considerable amount of experience, and against Hull I felt the absence of somebody who could take control when the game began to get away from them. Tired legs were part of the problem, but so was the lack of an obvious response once things started going wrong.
Burn cannot fix that on his own. He can, however, organise those around him and, as an England international, bring some authority to a side that has looked short of it. In a young team still learning to play together, that matters.
Right back is a closer call. Lewis Miley has experience there from last season, looks comfortable on the ball and covers ground well. In my opinion, he will end up as a full back full time, but that’s a conversation for another day. Dedić offers plenty going forward, but Leeds found opportunities down his side, and the defensive balance still needs work.
I would keep Miley there for Coventry, even if Dedić is available. That is hardly a final verdict on a new signing. It is simply a preference for a little more security while the rest of the team settles.
Experience in midfield without shutting out the youngsters
Harvey Barnes has so far provided a consistent goal threat in a team that has lacked a cutting edge, so in my team he starts on the left. Murphy has been hit and miss, so Elanga starts on the right if fit because he adds serious pace and, like Barnes more of a goal threat. The hardest midfield decision concerns Sean Steur, who has been one of Newcastle’s better performers so far. Alongside Horníček, he has a strong claim to have made the best early impression among the new arrivals. He certainly has not played his way out of the side.
Even so, González and Joelinton would be my starting pair for the deeper pair in the middle if both are ready. Newcastle looked short of physicality at Leeds and exhausted towards the end against Hull. Asking young players to keep carrying that responsibility, with so little experienced support available, is a lot.
Joelinton is particularly relevant here. When a match becomes scrappy, he can make that work in Newcastle’s favour. He competes for second balls, carries through contact and makes it harder for opponents to play comfortably. Sometimes the way back into a game begins with winning a few of those ugly midfield exchanges.
Against Hull, Newcastle looked as though they needed somebody to get them going again. Joelinton brings that possibility, along with leadership and experience of difficult Premier League afternoons.
None of this means Steur and Miley disappear once the senior players return. Miley could retain his place at right back, while Steur has already shown why he deserves substantial minutes. The Hull game demonstrated how much Newcastle needs useful options throughout the squad. Having the freedom to take a young player out, or bring him on when a game suits him, should help his development too.
Joe Willock has earned his place
Joe Willock would be the more advanced midfielder through the middle in my team. He has been as good as anyone during the opening weeks, providing a few key goals, and there is a strong case for keeping him in the advanced role with González and Joelinton behind him.
His carrying gives Newcastle a way to move up the pitch, while his willingness to run beyond the ball should complement Osula. Assuming Osula is fit, his pace and movement make him a natural starting point for the attack.
There is no need to present Osula as the solution to everything. What he offers is a clear threat behind defenders and an immediate option when Newcastle recover possession. If Jaissle wants the ball travelling forward quickly, it helps to have somebody stretching the pitch ahead of it.
My XI for Coventry, fitness permitting, would therefore be:
Horníček
Miley – Thiaw – Burn – Hall
González – Joelinton
Elanga – Willock – Barnes
Osula
Looking at that team, what stands out is how familiar it is. Apart from González, it is essentially a side Newcastle could have fielded last season. After a summer of so much change, there is something telling about that. The new arrivals will have their part to play, but for now I would lean on that familiarity to help Newcastle find their feet.
That leaves Wissa on the bench, which is probably the most debatable part of the selection. The alternative I would consider is Wissa replacing Willock and playing closer to Osula. That would give Newcastle another threat around the penalty area, although it would also change the balance behind the striker. Willock offers more running from midfield; Wissa would offer more of a second forward.
For Coventry, I would reward Willock’s performances and keep Wissa available to change the game. Another opponent, or another match situation, might call for the opposite decision. Having both available would at least allow Jaissle to make that choice.
A bench that can change a match
Matias Fernandez Pardo adds another possibility. He is still finding his feet, but his ability to play centrally or from a wider position gives Jaissle room to adjust the attack while Ramsey would add another midfield option.
Nobody should assume that every returning player will immediately be ready for 90 minutes. Even a few coming back, though, could make a substantial difference to how Newcastle finish matches. Against Hull, the starting side looked drained and the alternatives were limited. Being able to introduce Wissa, Steur or Fernandez Pardo into a game is a much more encouraging prospect.
That is what makes the break potentially useful. Burn and Joelinton could restore some authority and physical presence, Osula could give the attack more depth, and the younger players could get more support around them.
The injury list does not explain every poor performance, and a few familiar faces will not automatically put everything right. It should, however, give Jaissle a better chance to respond when a match starts slipping away. After Hull, that feels every bit as important as deciding who starts.
Would you keep Miley at right back and Willock behind Osula, or find room for Wissa? What would your Newcastle XI be for Coventry? Let us know in the comments section below!
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