While there’s no way of knowing who Bruce would have selected with tomorrow’s match against Sheffield United being postponed, this is the team we were going to predict. It has three changes from the win at Southampton.
With Martin Dubravka out injured, Karl Darlow would have made his first Premier League start in over two years.
Bruce likely would have kept the same back four that has produced two straight clean sheets in the Premier League. We also don’t think he would have altered the midfield pairing of Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden.
The changes at the top of the pitch are due to the poor performances from Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie at St Mary’s. We think Bruce would have gone back to Joelinton at striker after his promising display partnering with Miguel Almiron against West Brom in the FA Cup.
Similarly, Valentino Lazaro is a better fit on the right-wing than Matt Ritchie in this system. So we think Bruce would have picked the Austrian over Matt for tomorrow’s match.
Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron would have easily kept their places, in our opinion.
However, this game will not be played tomorrow so we’ll never know.
Instead, the training facilities have been shut down. Players have been sent home with individual training plans to keep them fit for what we hope will be our next match in three weeks.
Here is an update from the Chronicle’s Lee Ryder.
Newcastle United set to shut down training ground due to coronavirus threat https://t.co/gbB4thSS4W via @YouTube #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) March 13, 2020
15 comments so far
Ron Knee
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:04 PM
Comment #1Thoughts and prayers with those running sports blogs in the next weeks/months, especially our excellent Dr Ed & family.
fairscup
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:08 PM
Comment #2Which April 4th?
RobLeenio
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:08 PM
Comment #3“Newcastle United training ground now in complete lockdown” says deluded fool / Chronicle ‘journalist’ from inside said location……
SMH!
😀
hibbit
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:11 PM
Comment #4SKY NEWS
UK coronavirus cases reach 798 – up 208 in last 24 hours
Big Bruce Stars.
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:11 PM
Comment #5Unused Sub you are fast rising into the charts of my favourite posters. You have been warned. 😀
Big Bruce Stars.
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:13 PM
Comment #6Ron @1 – hear hear. It’s probably an opportune time for the blog maintenance crew to think about touching up the paintwork, a bit of colour on the walls, change the curtains for some snazzy modern blinds etc.
#cans
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:13 PM
Comment #7There is no guarantee that a temp rise kills the virus, there are plenty hotter countries reporting cases of the virus
Munster Mag
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:14 PM
Comment #8Holy shit that’s high. These are shocking times. It’s very weird over here. Kind of paranoia in the air. Still glad to have Varadkar and Coveney in charge and not your Trump puppet.
Ron Knee
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:17 PM
Comment #9Varadkar is a doctor, isn’t he, Munster?
barkel
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:18 PM
Comment #10Glad to have Varadkar and Coveney in charge? That’s the first time I’ve ever read that! I used to think you had fair and balanced views Munster .. now I can see why there’s a crusade against you 😉
Jail for Ashley
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:18 PM
Comment #11Munter,
I pray your mast is blown over when lock down is announced 😀
lochinvar
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:18 PM
Comment #12Right decision but bad timing and badly handled.
There will be thousands of Scots already in Wales or on their way down for a long weekend.
Doubt they’ll get refunds on their hotels etc so will probably stay down and spend time in bars and clubs drinking.
That’ll really help the situation.
Wales’ Six Nations match at home to Scotland on Saturday has been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak.
The two other round five scheduled games had already been postponed and no date has been confirmed to complete the 2020 Championship.
The Welsh Rugby Union had insisted earlier on Friday the game would “go ahead as planned”.
Big Bruce Stars.
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:20 PM
Comment #13People should feel sorry for nufc fans. We’ve struggled for years with a nasty parasite then this disease comes along.
fairscup
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:25 PM
Comment #14Was going to watch “Euro 2020 Preview Show” on ITV hub – don’t think I’ll bother.
Big Bruce Stars.
Mar 13, 2020 at 2:29 PM
Comment #15Ha ha I bet it’ll be the old bbc2 test card with the girl and the blackboard and the weird puppet thing.