This is the team we think Steve Bruce will select for tomorrow’s match at Southampton. It has five changes from the win over West Brom on Tuesday but just one from our last Premier League match against Burnley.
Bruce will likely keep with the same formation he used over the past two games. However, we see him going back to a few players who played last weekend.
The back four could see Manquillo, Lascelles, and Rose keep their place with Federico Fernandez replacing Fabian Schar at center-back. Of course, Martin Dubravka comes back in to make his 79th straight league start.
The midfield duo of Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden returns after starting together against Burnley but missing out to Sean Longstaff and Nabil Bentaleb in the FA Cup.
Allan Saint-Maximin continues on the right wing. Bruce declared him fit this morning during his press conference and we can’t see him not starting tomorrow.
The left wing gets a bit tricky for Bruce with both Matt Ritchie and Valentino Lazaro fit and available. We would prefer Lazaro get a second start in his preferred position but have a feeling Bruce will go with the 30-year-old Ritchie.
Before the West Brom match, it seemed like Dwight Gayle was due for a run in the team as the number nine. However, Joelinton played so well against West Brom on Tuesday that Bruce could go with the Brazilian once again.
Joelinton’s performance at the Hawthorns afforded Almiron, Saint-Maximin, and Lazaro so much space. Bruce will have been buoyed by his performance and may give him another shot upfront.
The head coach seems reluctant to rest the Brazilian, so we think it’ll be him and Almiron partnering upfront once again at St Mary’s.
With just Andy Carroll and Ciaran Clark not available for selection, the battle for places has significantly increased. Hopefully, that will bring out the best in this squad over the next few pivotal weeks.
How Will Newcastle Fare Against Southampton On Saturday?
- Win (45%, 703 )
- Loss (29%, 458 )
- Draw (26%, 405 )
Total Voters: 1,566
123 comments so far
droppy in Wallsend
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:43 PM
Comment #81EGB, Bobbybee
I think everyone should be allowed an opinion. It’s why we’re here and we all want our club to do well.
I think the dredging up the past is daft when there’s plenty going on right now.
Munster would help himself if he didn’t look to goad people but he’s far from alone on that front.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:44 PM
Comment #82DaveD
Ah OK, phew that’s put my mind at rest, I thought for a moment that I was just me. 🙂
toon22
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:46 PM
Comment #83Essex Geordie Bill @ Comment #75
Im sure you think Munster is the best thing since sliced bread
carltoon
rolling fakeover
😉
Were just another tat shop with a 70% off sign in the window 24/7/365
toon22
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:48 PM
Comment #84Bobbybee
Yeh lets forget about the hack and the threats JIBs posted in the past
Its just another day on a blog with ordinary fans who seem to love the club as it is
Lets try and put a lid on what could be seen as a criminal act by JIB
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:48 PM
Comment #85Anyway, just my opinion – to which I’m entitled. 😀
I think we should stick with Lazarro ahead of Ritchie. He offers more with pace and can beat a man. He also delivers some very good crosses in and has a great weight of pass.
I’d rest Bentaleb. He didn’t play for a long time apparently before coming here so maybe full games have come too soon.
I’d play Shelvey with either Matty or Hayden. Sean’s gone backwards imo. We’ve got bags of pace and his passing skills could set our breaks off
carltoon
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:49 PM
Comment #86Of course we are. We will win the cup. Then he’ll sell up. Or something like that.
lesh
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:49 PM
Comment #87Bobbybee
In my experience, Munster tends to dish the barbed comments out. If he dishes them out, he gets them back.
Yes, like anyone, people are entitled to their opinions but lambasting Rafa who had the fans with him and fought to change Ashley, is bound to ruffle feathers. Like another one who gets a lot of grief, he invites attention.
toon22
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:49 PM
Comment #88https://www.gov.uk/data-protection
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:49 PM
Comment #89toon22
You can be as sure as you want but I will tell you now that I just see Munster as another blogger but he is on my preferred list of bloggers, you aint.
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:51 PM
Comment #90What hack froggy? He’s winding you up you plumb. Don’t bite. I think Ed & Co would know if they’d been hacked, it’s what Ed did for a living I believe – computers.
carltoon
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:54 PM
Comment #91I’m pleased we’ve given new contracts to Shelvey and Richie, could we get better, of course we could, but who would come here that’s better, we haven’t got a better midfield than Shelvey, certainly not that Bentaleb, he may get better with a few more games. Hayden don’t think he’s good enough, and Sean needs to get his head sorted, started to believe the hype.
welshgeordie9
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:54 PM
Comment #92In Bruce we trust.
yogz69
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:55 PM
Comment #93I see the tin foil hat brigade is still out in force
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:56 PM
Comment #94Lesh, he’s entitled to his opinion on Rafa ffs. Just because he doesn’t agree with others doesn’t make his opinion any less valid. Rafas gone, more anal retention. Football is fluid, it never stays still. People come and go and a lot of people didn’t like the football Rafa played or the way he decided to leave in May and kept on right until the end saying he was staying. They’re entitled to an opinion as much as anybody else.
welshgeordie9
Mar 6, 2020 at 7:58 PM
Comment #95Rafa who?
#cans
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:01 PM
Comment #96frog – was just usual Jib WUM comments, you shouldn’t bite – he’s the blogs very own Walter Mitty.
You’re just boring others going on about it when everyone knows he was making bollocks up – stick to footy matters please.
Cheers 🙂
#cans
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:02 PM
Comment #97Weshie – Rafa Bruce?
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:04 PM
Comment #98Leicester got nine at Soton. Are we going for ten? 😀
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:06 PM
Comment #99Millwall one up
pheasant plucker
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:08 PM
Comment #100The takeover is on
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:12 PM
Comment #1012-0
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:15 PM
Comment #102Bobby
Aye, smash and grab.
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:16 PM
Comment #103Carltoon, agree with Shelvey. Not totally sure about Ritchie but he’s good to have as cover now.
When Shelvey is fit and in form he’s brilliant and offers something very few do. Once he’s released a striker he can’t be faulted if they miss the chance.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:17 PM
Comment #104Tin foil hat brigade, I go to bed in mine, doesn’t everybody?
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Comment #105Wow, a goal fest 0-3
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:21 PM
Comment #106Every time Millwall break they look like scoring Bill. This could be anything.
Jib
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:21 PM
Comment #107WOT !!!!
Me wind good folk up !!!!!
How very dare you !!!!!!
W A L T E R M I T T Y !!!!!
I resemble that remark !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#cans
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:23 PM
Comment #108Jib – 😀 😀
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:23 PM
Comment #109😀 You’re not the messiah jib, you’re a very naughty boy. 🙂
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:25 PM
Comment #110Gayle, Muto and Carroll have to go in the summer and a couple of strikers that will compliment Max, Miggy and Jo brought in. Punt Krafth back to wherever he came from and flog Yedlin, give Manquillo a decent contract then spend 15/20M on a RB. Get Fed signed up and the money we get from Schar spent on a quality young CB given a season or two to bed in. No idea what to do about CM now that Shelvey is staying for awhile, it’s looking like Hayden will be off in the summer.
Jib
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:26 PM
Comment #111😀
Jail for Ashley
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:27 PM
Comment #112And while we’re having a clear out, a new manager wouldn’t go amiss.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:28 PM
Comment #113Essex
Barring The Wife Neil and the rare occasion Ed posts i don’t theres any sensible posters left.
Can’t think of any off hand
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:30 PM
Comment #114Jail, I think we would’ve sold Gayle and Muto in the January window but they were injured unfortunately. We needed to create numbers to fit any more in the squad which is probably why we didn’t buy another striker. Already got people getting silly wages for nowt. Bodies out, bodies in.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:31 PM
Comment #115OP
Naaah they’re not sensible, they’re Toon supporters.
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:33 PM
Comment #116Ooh, lovely turn by Sammy but followed by a great tackle too. Good game this, pretty end to end despite the lopsided scoreline.
Bobbybee
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:35 PM
Comment #117Half time, gonna grab a quick shower. Central heating gone a bit haywire, I’m melting here! 😀
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:36 PM
Comment #118It’s hard to have an opinion about Muto as he’s never had a run in the team. Pre season he was our fox in the box which is why I picked him as our TGS. Not sure if he’s even started a game so there’s no way of giving an opinion on him.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:37 PM
Comment #119Essex
Agree on Muto, I barely remember him playing.
Can’t even say what system or where he would be employed best.
#BoycottAshley ( OP)
Mar 6, 2020 at 8:42 PM
Comment #120From BBC
Newcastle are winless in five Premier League games (D3, L2), and have failed to score in their last four.
They have the worst form in the Premier League over the last 10 matches, earning just seven points.
The Magpies have scored just 24 goals in this league campaign, fewer than any other top-flight side.
They have also conceded a league-high 29 goals away from home in this season’s Premier League.
Their three league goals since 11 January have all come after the 90th minute.
Miguel Almiron has scored four goals in his five FA Cup matches this season, but has only scored two goals in his 24 Premier League appearances in 2019-20
A draw would be a very good result.