Craig Hope of the Daily Mail says that Matty Longstaff and Ciaran Clark are in line for starts against Manchester United. While we thought that young Matty stood a good chance to get into the team, the news of Ciaran Clark replacing Paul Dummett is quite the surprise.
I’m hearing Matty Longstaff in line to start versus Man Utd tomorrow & Ciaran Clark set to replace Paul Dummett.
— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) October 5, 2019
Ciaran Clark has only one appearance this season, and that was in the Carabao Cup loss against Leicester City. The 29-year-old played the entire match and played well.
Clark has yet to feature in the Premier League this season and has only been on the bench for four games. He has not been part of the match-day squad in either of our last two matches.
His last start in the league was actually also his last appearance as well. That was all the way back to the 2-1 January defeat at Chelsea in which Clark scored one of his three goals. He did, however, start in the FA Cup against Watford a few weeks later.
This could turn out to be a good move by Bruce. Clark has always played well for Newcastle and would certainly suit playing on the left side of a back three. He also can chip in with the odd goal every now and then.
It may be harsh on Paul Dummett, who recently gave up playing for Wales to stay fit for Newcastle. However, Bruce has a full squad at his disposal. After the Leicester City match, no player should feel that their place is safe.
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11 comments so far
Nicky the ball tosser
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:22 AM
Comment #1Don’t object to Clark for Dummett.
Matty Longstaff would surely have to have been pulling up trees and knocking down fences in training for Bruce to even imagine it’s a good idea to play him alongside his brother in the midfield engine room v Man U, even with all their injury woes.
Matty is quite small and not overly fast. He reminds me a bit of Paul Scholes, who really was a player. Very unlikely he’s the answer though, at his age, in such a vigorous league. But if he’s been the form player in training, then maybe he’s earned it.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:24 AM
Comment #2NY Mag
Sorry got tied up with something else, what does your R&R in NYC consist off, there’s lots to do there I would imagine.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:28 AM
Comment #3Nicky
I would think that the bench as much as anything else will give us some insight into what Brucie is thinking, Matty being on it I guess might mean he’s gonna take a gamble on some of the youngsters.
I’d forgotten about Ritchie, he’s a possible recall and starter which might be a good call.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:30 AM
Comment #415 Hours to KO.
carltoon
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:31 AM
Comment #5Yes NY give us some pointers for R and R in NY. And what’s with the stars???
NY Mag
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:32 AM
Comment #6Bill,
The usual….Empire State, rockerfeller centre, Statue of Liberty, 911 memorial,central park, and all that jazz 🙂
carltoon
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:33 AM
Comment #7Nicky I think Throwing Young Matty in at this present time is a terrible idea. If we were in a good position playing well it would be different. Of course he could prove me wrong.
NY Mag
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:36 AM
Comment #8I’m with Carltoon, throwing Matty on is a bad idea
carltoon
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:37 AM
Comment #9I’m in two minds if I go or not tomorrow. Don’t get it on the TV. Wasn’t going to go back after last few games. But when the time comes I might decide I want torture myself again.
carltoon
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:40 AM
Comment #10What’s the weather like in NY this time of year. Because that’s when I’ll be there next year.
Essex Geordie Bill
Oct 6, 2019 at 1:42 AM
Comment #11NY Mag
Can’t help thinking that the 9/11 memorial has to have some bad vibes around it. I think i’d find it a sad place to visit, still see the image of the falling man in my mind when I think about it.