Steve Bruce went with Dwight Gayle to replace the injured Callum Wilson in our defeat at Chelsea last Monday. It was the striker’s first start of the season and he got a good run out before being replaced by Joelinton in the 64th minute.
Bruce had hinted during his press conference last week that Gayle would get an opportunity to ‘step up’ during Wilson’s absence. However, Dwight’s performance against Chelsea, perhaps understandably, was ineffective.
The 31-year-old had just one shot and only 16 touches before Joelinton was brought on in his place. As he was in an uncustomary wider role out to the right, he didn’t provide adequate protection for Emil Krafth.
It was a challenging evening for Gayle, who was asked to fill a role that doesn’t really suit him. Bruce was asked during his press conference for Manchester United whether Gayle did enough to warrant another opportunity at Old Trafford. This was his response:
“It was always going to be difficult for Dwight. We’re aware that it was his first start of the season.
“Dwight, at the start of the season, had a knee operation. That’s been, unfortunately, too many of our players.
“So we knew it was going to be a difficult ask for Dwight. But he stuck at it. He got 65 minutes under his belt and we always know he can score a goal.
“He’s got some minutes under his belt which only can help.”
From these comments, Bruce seems to indicate that Gayle is in contention for a second start at Manchester United. Maybe, Bruce will tweak the system to get the best out of Gayle, who does have goals in him.
Newcastle will need to get back on the scoresheet after being blanked by the Blues. Prior to Monday’s defeat, Newcastle had scored 7 goals in our four previous matches.
Manchester United are not as impenetrable as Chelsea, who have yet to be breached under Thomas Tuchel, excluding an own goal at Sheffield.
One area that Newcastle could struggle with on Sunday is keeping the Red Devils quiet in attack. They can score in bunches as we witnessed at St. James’ Park in October.
Last night, they dismantled a good Real Sociedad team 4-0 in the Europa League, which is concerning considering Newcastle are prone to defensive lapses this season.
So Newcastle will have to be much more disciplined at the back while being clinical with their chances to get anything at Old Trafford.
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643 comments so far
toon22
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:20 PM
Comment #41Dummett needs to play LB
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:20 PM
Comment #42Team for Sunday
Dubs
Krafth Lasc Clarke Dummet
Miggy Hayden Lewis
ASM. Willock
Fraser
toon22
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:21 PM
Comment #43Mund
Just like the other 14 times ?
All those sales hasnt left a shadow of doubt ?
magicmac54
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:24 PM
Comment #44John J
Good evening John, thanks for the link of you performing your music last night, i really enjoyed it John.
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:25 PM
Comment #45johnj totally get where you’re coming from, my dad is 86 and he thinks similar. By the way I’ve been reading this blog for a good few years now and I’ve never seen you have a cross word with anyone, you seem like a real sound bloke.
toon22
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:26 PM
Comment #46Team for Sunday
Dubs
Krafth Lasc Clarke Dummet
Fraser Hayden M.Logstaff Rictchie
ASM or Miggy
With AC to come on as an extra body at the back to replace probably Ritchie 2nd half
barkel
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:27 PM
Comment #47just over a point a game is nearly always enough to stay up but for any sort of ambition we need to be picking up 1.5pts per game, that would likely see us 7th most years.
toon22
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:27 PM
Comment #48the or should be a /
toon22
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:27 PM
Comment #49barkel
Right now its just getting to the end of the season
Business as usual isnt it
Toon Tang
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:28 PM
Comment #50Why is bruce still in the damn job?
Can we not frame him for something big and lewd
toon22
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Comment #51Hayden and Longstaff have played togther often and will give a solid centre
Fraser is far better at crossing the ball
Miggy will drop back and help midfiled
ASM shouldnt be any father back than the centre circle, hes horrible defensivly
Tackle from behind
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:35 PM
Comment #52On a side track, going for a Scottish theme for tea tonight.
Cullen Skink with toasted wholemeal and oat bread.
All home made of course.
Just saying like.
Tackle from behind
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:38 PM
Comment #53Solskjaer has hinted that he may drop De Gea for Sunday’s game (Metro News)
He probably doesn’t see the need for a keeper in that game and will just play an extra forward instead.
magicmac54
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:40 PM
Comment #54Bruce is already aiming higher for his next job as he feels he has already outgrown Newcastle, speculation has it Mr Bruce has his eyes on the red planet, as there is an endless supply of cabbage, beacon and the little blue pills, no doubt Steve will rise to the occasion.
JohnJ
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:44 PM
Comment #55Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:25 PM
Comment #45
I have my views, same as everyone else, but what’s the point in getting agitated and pulling your hair out eh? I have been known to blow my top and I’d die for my family but….
At the end of the day we’re all Newcastle United supporters, on hear, although I suspect at times there may be a few from down the A19! We all want what’s best for NUFC our club! New owners is the first thing then a more dynamic manager to take control of team matters and make progress.
I really think that Steve Bruce really is too nice a guy he just hasn’t got the steel needed to get the best out of our squad.
onmeedsun
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:47 PM
Comment #56Can you take a blue pill with beta blockers?
Great White Hunter
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:47 PM
Comment #57JohnJ #37, Don’t be daft lad, age is just a number, you,ll be around for a long time yet, we,ll see the lads win the Champions League once or twice, once Amanda & Co takeover, that’s if we replace Brucey boy, take care. Cheers.
onmeedsun
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:47 PM
Comment #58Would hate to peg out on the job!
JohnJ
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:48 PM
Comment #59I’ll tell you what I do find most irritating about this blog and that’s having to chase things around the screen so much before you sign on and post stuff!!!
However I do, very much, appreciate all the efforts of Dr Ed, Neil, The Wife Mrs Harrison and Milo do to make the blog something of value to us NUFC fans.
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:51 PM
Comment #60Well said JohnJ and I totally share your sentiments. I also see you want Dubs back in goal, I’ve been saying the same all week, think if he had been playing against Chelsea he would have warned the defense about Werner coming back on.
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:53 PM
Comment #61Onmeeedson do you make porn films.
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:56 PM
Comment #62Tackle no Cooplands sausage rolls and cheesestraws then.
geordietom
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:56 PM
Comment #63so if amanda wins her court case she gets like £800 million on top of what money she already has, why can her and the Reuben’s not buy the club amongst themselvs ? then PIF can still try to get into the club some how ?
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 5:58 PM
Comment #64The only irritating thing I find is when you’re writing a post you get an advertisement right on top of it and you have to move your phone screen to read over what you have wrote.
geordietom
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Comment #65carson have you got add blocker if you have turn it on mate that should sort it …
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Comment #66GeordieTom would be nice that, to be fair I would be happy if just her and the Reubens took us over.
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Comment #67Will have a look thanks GeordieTom.
geordietom
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:03 PM
Comment #68carson …
yep would be good if they got together and bought the club …
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:03 PM
Comment #69Aye gone now cheers.
geordietom
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:05 PM
Comment #70yw mate …
hibbit
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:05 PM
Comment #71geordietom even if Amanda wins her case on all counts, there’s no guarantee that would be the amount of damages the judge would award her,
Tackle from behind
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:12 PM
Comment #72Carson
What !!!
and end up looking like Bruce?
Wor B
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:12 PM
Comment #73Magic
Christmas and birthdays mate, don’t wanna spoil her!
😉
geordietom
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:15 PM
Comment #74hibbit …
well i think she finds out next week so lets hope she gets top whack …
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:15 PM
Comment #75Tackle very true that the guy is in real bad shape, strange how all these ex footballers all just balloon 10 years after they’ve stopped playing.
Mund
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:16 PM
Comment #76Yohan Kebab has retired
https://mobile.twitter.com/NUFC/status/1362825266536603651
Munster Mag
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:18 PM
Comment #77Onmeed, Brenda, Dean, Gary, Malcolm, any of these good people in the supporters club mate?
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:19 PM
Comment #78GeordieTom always good to stay positive, if she was awarded the whole amount, she could buy us herself. You never know judge might be feeling generous towards her and call it a straight billion in compo. Might be karma coming round as the good lady has been after us for 3 years now.
Mund
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:21 PM
Comment #79hibbit from previous
I do go to a good few mate and I’ve said many times I’d have a season ticket already if it wasn’t for Ashley.
I just think Bruce is that stubborn he wouldn’t budge.
Carson80
Feb 19, 2021 at 6:21 PM
Comment #80I’d take him over Shelvey now Mund.