With it looking likely that both Joelinton and Miguel Almiron will miss out in tonight’s clash against Leicester City, Newcastle have limited options in the striker department. Yoshinori Muto is almost certain to start the game as the lone striker. However, what happens if he gets injured or they need to add a second striker late in the game?
There are really no options in the first team to play striker with Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle still weeks away from full training.
One option Steve Bruce might call upon to add to the bench is our 18-year-old U23 striker Yannick Toure. While he is still some ways from the first-team, he’s the only option we would see as cover for Muto.
Toure joined Newcastle last summer as a free agent after not renewing his contract with Young Boys in Switzerland. He had some top clubs vying for his signature.
The Swiss forward had this to say to NUFC TV when he signed:
“I’m very happy to sign for Newcastle.”
“I’ve heard a lot about them. I know it’s a famous club in England and I’m very, very happy to be here.”
“There was a lot of interest in me, but I chose to come here because it’s a great and traditional club in England.”
Toure had some trouble adapting when he first joined the club. He also had some problem with injuries but started to show some promise at the start of 2019.
Current Academy Head of Coaches Ben Dawson, who was the coach of the U23s last season, had this to say about Toure this past February:
“Elias (Sorensen) came across a little bit younger at 16 and it took him a while to get used to things across here and to develop.
“Yannick has proven to be the same.
“The injury in pre-season didn’t help him, but it allowed him time to get a better understanding of what was expected.
“He was able to pick up the language a bit quicker and he is spending around 10 hours a week on his English on top of his training schedule.
“He is working hard off the pitch to try and make those adjustments that we are now seeing the benefits on the pitch.”
Like the entire U23 squad this season, Yannick has not gotten off to the best of starts. However, he could be called upon this evening due to the scarcity of options Steve Bruce has at striker. Who knows maybe both Yannick and Matty Longstaff will make their Newcastle debuts tonight.
40 comments so far
Mindshaft
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:04 PM
Comment #1posada – don’t think there’s a boycott planned – Watford should be full house but if not you can’t blame the boycotters 🙂
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:07 PM
Comment #2Repost
I do remember saying how pleased I was at Big Sams appointment as i thought he had a good scientific approach to training and treatment methods. Ice baths etc. ?
Towards the end of his reign I must have been pretty scathing of him and I recall that Valle (fairly sure it was him) dug out my comment to criticise me, which was fair enough.
So I was definitely commenting at the time!
lochinvar
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:08 PM
Comment #3Can we prorogue Ashley ?
NY Mag
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Comment #4OP,
Fair comment…can’t disagree with that
Jib
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:12 PM
Comment #5Nah
The Queen gets her trainers from SD
NY Mag
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:16 PM
Comment #6Jib
I have difficulty in imagining Lizzy in a Donnay tracksuit and a pair of pumas 😀
Oldgit1
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:19 PM
Comment #7@ Rob, what the hell with your politics, give over.
And yes I’m against it and won’t sign. but am not going to disrupt this blog with my reasons.
Keep the blog football related. If there was a petition for that I would sign it.
Jib
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:23 PM
Comment #8Donnay you Heathen ! – Lizzie’s a Kappa lass
Just a fan
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:27 PM
Comment #9I think Rob is getting s little bit to much stick.
This blog often goes off on tangents.
NY Mag
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Comment #10Jib,
That made me laugh far more than it should have….I’m getting a few odd looks from the locals
RobLeenio
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:41 PM
Comment #11Just a fan, cheers – but I did expect a couple of digs and it’s fair enough.
I’ve not seen much of Yannick Toure, given his injury he’s not played much footy since he arrived, but I know he’s powerful and quick and could be a talent in time.
Might be good to see him at some point tonight.
lesh
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:42 PM
Comment #12Mindshaft
Posting scheidt’s an art form and the quality of yours hasn’t moved at all – it’s still top drawer! You’re a posting equivalent of Edvard Munsch
https://binged.it/2Zw9Dtd
Harley
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:43 PM
Comment #13We should still be able to field a decent team tonight, even with all of the “injuries”!!
Dubravka
Manquilo, Fernandez, Clark, dummet, willems
Shelvey, ki
Ritchie, longstaff,
Muto
That’s not a bad team.
Jib
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:45 PM
Comment #14The Met office is forecasting the rain to stop at teatime
I hope so – otherwise they’ll have to play in wellies
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:48 PM
Comment #15Think Yannick would do OK, I’d start with Muto though with Mattie playing at 10 in the support role.
JohnReese
Aug 28, 2019 at 2:53 PM
Comment #16I would like to see Toure involved against Leicester. I know it’s a lazy comparison to make but since he played for us it’s a bit easier. I do see a lot of similarities with a young Demba Ba. He has good pace and power. A lot to learn and he’s very raw but there’s definitely a potentially good forward in there. I could see him playing any minutes for us out wide to begin with and hopefully as he develops, move more centrally.
Anyone who’s seen more of him than me, what do you think the chances of Sangare coming through are? I’ve only had a limited view of him but it looked like he had something about him. I think he’s a little bit older though so if it’s going to happen it needs to be sooner.
dougie
Aug 28, 2019 at 3:14 PM
Comment #17Muto or Toure are the attacking options for a good go at the cups,what a pisstake.The slug is ripping it out of us,fingers crossed Leicester are shit.Sports direct F.C. at its finest.
Jib
Aug 28, 2019 at 3:19 PM
Comment #18dougie #17
More OTT hysterical nonsense
Are you related to danishmag ?
Joelinton , Almiron and ASM aren’t being risked
and Carroll and Gayle are still injured.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Aug 28, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Comment #19Jib
What’s hysterical about pointing out the squad is weak?
More stirring from you I’d say.
Jib
Aug 28, 2019 at 3:56 PM
Comment #20I’m not sure the squad is that weak
We have double coverage in just about every position
Shelvey who would be an automatic starter in some PL sides
cannot break into the team.
We have had a crap pre-season which has effected our start
but I’m not sure that can be laid at “the slugs” door this time.
dougie
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:01 PM
Comment #21Give over Jib,bottom line is we deserve better than what’s being served up.If we show the same work rate and organisation shown in the last game we’ve got a chance tonight.Does this reserve team in any way shape or form look like one of the most wealthiest clubs in the world,I don’t think so.No ambition,it’s all about getting 17th or higher for the slugs tat shop exposure.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:01 PM
Comment #22Brucie said on BBC Total sport last night that 6 of the team that played the spuds were carrying injuries or knocks with Joelinton being one.
Me hoping he plays a few of the kids along with players who did not get on on Sunday – Shelvey and Fernandez for starters along with Matty Longstaffe
ronaldo aarons
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:04 PM
Comment #23Anyone got access to the athletic? Benitez had his Q&A and not just on Newcastle.
Although apparently he spoke very highly of dummett. One of the most under appreciated players he’s worked with.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:05 PM
Comment #24After a lot of searching I finally found a comment by Bill on May 18 2007 which i think may be me. The style is similar and there was a response that sounded familiar.
Could be wrong and if there’s another Bill who was around at the time!
If it was me then I wasn’t a prolific commentor as i haven’t found any more up to October so far unless my comments have somehow been deleted.
Sounding a bit obsessional so I think I’ll stop now. 🙂
What was interesting then was the input by Ed although the blog was in it’s infancy and the numbers needed to be upped a bit, a bit different to now. 🙂
geordie157
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Comment #25I think Fernandez, Manquillo, Muto come in. Possibly Matthew Longstaff.
Which players support Muto though, Ritchie and Atsu possibly with Willems at lwb.
Could play both Matty and Sean in more advanced roles.
With the injuries it makes sense to have Aarons on the bench.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:15 PM
Comment #26Don’t forget Lazar!
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:16 PM
Comment #273 Hours 28 Minutes to KO
RobLeenio
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:24 PM
Comment #28It’s never a match day without an EGB countdown.
Like putting on an old, comfy pair of slippers. Comforting and familiar.
Just need Dennis Twice and his exhortations and we’re there.
😉
DubaiMicky
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:28 PM
Comment #29One thing that worries me about using some of the U23 squad is…. They’re having a worse start to the season than the seniors are.
Mindshaft
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:33 PM
Comment #30Bill – aye, Ed used to chat along with everyone who posted back then – saying that, there were only about ten of us
lesh – cheers mate 🙂 😀
Shadow_Shearer
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:34 PM
Comment #31Anybody know what channel we on tonight??
Genjikai
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:40 PM
Comment #32Dubai
Kell watts and own bailey had a good year at the back last year for u23s.
All the lads grafted last year to be fair.
Kells on loan and owen got sent off first game of season.
Think harker has went on loan aswell?
Mindshaft
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:41 PM
Comment #33Shadow – there’s no TV anywhere tonight afaik
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:43 PM
Comment #34Micky
Aye that’s true the yunguns do seem to be struggling, which is a shame, but individually we have some very good youngsters who should be able to step up.
Essex Geordie Bill
Aug 28, 2019 at 4:45 PM
Comment #35Match is on Audio on the official site.
RobLeenio
Aug 28, 2019 at 5:01 PM
Comment #36Micky, the U23s have been shorn of their best talent. Sean Longstaff, Jamie Sterry, Dan Barlasser, Elias Sorensen, Cal Roberts, Stefan O’Connor, Kelland Watts were all regulars last season and have been loaned out, promoted or released ahead of this season.
I think they were always going to struggle this season. I’ve probably missed a couple aswell.
It doesn’t mean that there aren’t some good players in the team, though they may be low on confidence. In fact, there are some excellent young players in the team, they just maybe haven’t gelled yet as a unit and some are very young.
Jib
Aug 28, 2019 at 5:02 PM
Comment #37Sorry to tell you EGB
Bill was one of my alts in 2007
😛
Bobbybee
Aug 28, 2019 at 5:07 PM
Comment #38The plan was to field as strong a side as possible, but sadly injuries have put the knack on that.
Leicester probably fancy trying to win this or the FA Cup, so depending on their Injury situation will decide how strong a side they put out. Regardless of the strength of the side we play, as long as I see the same commitment tonight as we witnessed Sunday I’ll be more than happy.
Genjikai
Aug 28, 2019 at 5:17 PM
Comment #39A consortium has 7 mill in the bank and says it is ready to save bury.
If the efl will reinstate them.
spb
Aug 28, 2019 at 6:22 PM
Comment #40Is there a stream for the game tonight guys