If you had a fully-fit squad, who would you start in the starting lineup for Newcastle United versus Southampton on opening day?
We shouldn’t speculate on who will be delivered by first class post to Barrack Road. We just can’t say for sure. So let’s address the issue at hand. Which Newcastle United squad would you start against the recently promoted Southampton Saints to get us off to a great start, assuming everyone is fit, which would be quite the unusual treat?
Who could play central defense on the left side? Dan Burn or Lloyd Kelly? Lewis Hall or Kelly would you start at left back? Alongside our Brazilian two, Bruno and Joelinton, who would you pick as the third midfield player? Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Sean Longstaff, or Lewis Miley? Recall that Sandro Tonali is not the person. Not quite yet.
Who would play outside right in the end? Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy, Yankuba Minteh, and Miggy Almiron are your options. Yes, I am aware. Before a new season begins, United will purchase a right winger, but we are unable to identify that player with any degree of accuracy, so pardon my ignorance.
Okay, so how about Gordon switching wide right with Harvey Barnes on the other tramline, Kelly playing beside Fabian Schar with Hall at left-back, and Willock partnering our Brazilians? All of this is subjective, and yours might differ. The beauty of football is that it allows for diversity as long as it is displayed without cruelty and with regard for everyone. Of course, Eddie Howe is the only voice that truly matters. I know that some supporters have disagreed with his selection when the team sheet was released an hour prior to kickoff, so what chance do the rest of us mere mortals have?
Naturally there are conditions attached to anyone’s thinking. I want to see Minteh live for the first time in black and white pre-season to confirm how ready or not he is and decide through what my eyes tell me if Kelly is best in the centre or at No 3.
Kelly will bring pace to a back four desperately in need of it. Big Dan, a true warrior, lacks it of course and while the injured Sven Botman is definitely quality it has to be admitted he is not quick in a foot race
Hall, are you ready? The number twenty-eight million implies that he had better be, and I genuinely hope that he is, as mental life at the club his father has supported his entire life has been difficult. He is deserving of support.
Willock, on the other hand, has endured a season marred by recurring injuries. Out of 38 Premier League games played last season, he only started four. Prior to that, he was even being considered for an England roster spot.
Joe adds a new dimension to the midfield, but unlike last season, when Howe was often left with just three players available due to injuries, this season is going to be extremely crowded. Tonali, who cost £52 million, is anticipated to have a significant impact on his return to work. Although he will require some time to catch up, he will be determined to show that the enormous expense was worthwhile. He and Hall must both demonstrate that the £80 million was wisely spent. That still needs to be completed.
In recent times, left-back has been somewhat of a cursed position. This is in stark contrast to the illustrious 457 league and cup appearances that Mr. Consistency Frank Clark amassed between 1962 and 1975, a time when United was winning trophies, including the Second Division title, the European Fairs Cup, the Anglo Italian Cup, two Anglo Scottish Cups, and an FA Cup final appearance at Wembley.
Jamal Lewis was supposed to be the bright young star from Norwich who would make a lasting impression, Matt Targett impressed Howe so much during his loan that he was paid £16 million to make the move permanent, and Hall finally arrived with a long list of requirements that meant United had to buy only to fall down a large black hole right away. It all came to an end when Dan Burn, a towering center half who lacked speed but was at ease tucking in, was chosen in a risky exposed position. As we all saw last season, a string of wingers on the rise torment the poor boy. But at least now Hall and Kelly can get rid of that.
Before the summer is gone, United might add a right winger, a backup center forward, a right-sided central defense, and another goalkeeper. That will significantly alter the terrain.
We’ll all be playing the dice game in the meanwhile. Who moves first and who doesn’t. Isn’t it enjoyable.
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