Without the trio of Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Callum Wilson, Steve Bruce will be short on attacking quality for our next few matches. It’s hard to see how he continues with the 4-3-3 formation with what he currently has at his disposal.
When Miguel Almiron was forced off at halftime against Wolves, it was Ryan Fraser who came on in his place. The diminutive winger basically stayed in the central role formerly occupied by Miggy. Fraser has often played centrally, though as a second striker, for club and country.
He is an option to replace Almiron if Bruce stays with the 4-3-3 formation. However, the options on either flank are also somewhat tenuous. Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll don’t really fit into a wider role while Matt Ritchie and Jacob Murphy are not strikers.
One player who could come into the equation, though it would be an enormous ask for someone so young, is Elliot Anderson. The 18-year-old made his Newcastle debut on the left coming on for Joelinton in our FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
He could be an option to come in for Allan Saint-Maximin on the left in this system if Bruce continues with it. It could be fitting for Elliot to fill in for Allan while the Frenchman is out with his groin injury.
Anderson was asked about his camaraderie with Saint-Maximin, who took the time to help the local lad when he was called up to first-team training early this season. This is what Anderson said about his enigmatic teammate as published in The Chronicle:
“He has been a massive help. He gives me a bit of confidence boost. Sometimes when I’ve been left out of the squad, he’ll message me and tells me to keep working and I will get my chance.
“When I first game up, he made me feel part of the squad through his Instagram posts, and it makes you realize he’s there for you.”
Elliot has been left out of the squad along with the Longstaff brothers quite a bit recently. It’s great that Allan takes the time to message the youngster to help build his confidence.
Injuries have opened up places in the matchday squad, and Anderson will be a prime candidate to come into the team. In fact, if Bruce leaves him out over the next few weeks that would be very harsh.
Anderson was kept behind for situations just like this. If Bruce is not going to give him a chance then he should have allowed him to leave on loan, as there were reportedly plenty of Championship clubs hoping to land him.
As it stands, the 18-year-old has just made two appearances this season. His second was a very brief cameo in our league defeat at Arsenal. For that, Anderson became a Premier League player at his young age.
This is what he said about that moment:
“It gives you that bit more motivation to keep going and try and get more and more appearances in the Premier League.
“It’s refreshing to know that if you work hard it will come – I know every day now I’ve got to keep working to try and get in that team.”
Let’s hope Bruce hands Elliot at least a place on the bench for Sunday’s crucial match at West Brom. He’s got the talent and now needs a chance. While a start may be risky, an opportunity off the bench depending on how the match is unfolding seems to be a no-brainer.
63 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 11:44 AM
Comment #1Get him in Bruce, there’s not a great deal of options.
DubaiMicky
Mar 3, 2021 at 11:50 AM
Comment #2(Bus).
Most days on top of the Premier League
manure 2294
chelski 1326
arse 978
Toon 360
citeh 301
bindippers 288
Blackburn 238
villa 162
Leeds 159
Norwich 129 (That’s a surprise)
Leicester 85
Bolton 38 (What happened?)
Spurs 33
Shef W 25
Wor B
Mar 3, 2021 at 11:50 AM
Comment #3DMicky
You need to nip back, you left your keys in the bar.
onmeedsun
Mar 3, 2021 at 11:54 AM
Comment #4I think Ashley is starting to realise that the business of football is not a commodity business where the name of the game is commodity transactions. There are obviously many transactions, selling match tickets and trading players, but the overriding transaction is an emotional one. This is something he’s never grasped. But the fact he’s put a message out that all takeover talk should be off limits until we are safe, is him recognising that something like a takeover rumbling on in the background is seriously destabilising for both players, mgt and fans.
onmeedsun
Mar 3, 2021 at 11:59 AM
Comment #5Dubai
Good stat.
I also like the one that put us second to Villa in trophies won in England in 69.
Bindippers and Chelski mikes behind.
Bindippers only won the FA Cup for first time in 65.
We just messed up big time from the 60’s onwards.
Failed to create a legacy in the era of football media and stood still whilst lesser clubs stormed on.
Just shocking decision making for decades, even when owned by Geordies.
Adamn_92
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:01 PM
Comment #6Briefly read through what I’ve missed, if people are talking about me on twitter that’s hillarious haha Saw people mention bands/people they’ve seen live, I think my top one which i’ll never be able to beat, is that I was lucky enough to see Prince back in 2014 at Leeds Arena. Truly a legend and top showman, never truly appreciated what a fantastic talent he was on guitar too until I saw him absolutely kill it over 2 hours. RIP
Tackle from behind
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:04 PM
Comment #7Dubai Micky
I was looking at those stats too, but on the PL website it has Liverpool on 588 days??? Yours are from The Mag site?
You should have added a “What happened” after our figure of 360 days
Go back the 14 years of Ashley reign and we were up there regularly – could and SHOULD have kept pace with the top 5 if it weren’t for the leech.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:07 PM
Comment #8Adamn_92,
Say what!!! (in a Heckle and Jeckle yellow billed magpie voice)
Toon67
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:11 PM
Comment #9PM’s Questions.
Kier Starmer bringing up the arms sales issue to the Saudi’s and also the Khashoggi murder.
DubaiMicky
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:11 PM
Comment #10Tackle, a screenshot from Sky, saw it on twitter, but can’t show pics on here so typed it out.
Data from Opta
Toon67
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:14 PM
Comment #11Now Ian Blackford, Leader of the SNP, critising the UK ‘s support of the Saudi Regime.
Oh dear.
Adamn_92
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:19 PM
Comment #12Jail, yeah it was incredible! Really struck home how lucky I was to go considering his sad passing just 2 years later. Will never see anyone better in my lifetime that’s for sure.
Oh dear, the only news or noise regarding Saudi and any takeover is all seeming very negative at the moment isn’t it.
Tackle from behind
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:26 PM
Comment #13James the First
I make it 15 points from our last 17 PL games (possible 51 pts)
8 points from possible 51 is more like Sheffield Utd form
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:26 PM
Comment #14Adamn_92,
That’s brilliant, not many people get to see global superstars live.
I was exclaiming “Say What” about people talking about you on twitter 😮
geordie157
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:26 PM
Comment #15I would start Anderson and go 4231, assuming Manquillo can start.
Slightly worried about Dubravka but he probably needs a few games to get back on form, not that we can afford to wait really.
Dubravka
Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis
Hayden, Shelvey
Murphy, Anderson, Fraser
Gayle
Subs
Darlow, Fernandez, Dummett, Ritchie, Hendrick, S. Longstaff, Atsu, Joelinton, Carroll
Think Atsu comes back into the mix but would rather have M. Longstaff than Hendrick but Bruce loves Jeff.
Another option is start Dummett which gives Fraser less need to defend.
Or
Fill the team with homegrown lads
Dubravka
Manquillo, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett
S. Longstaff, Hayden, M. Longstaff
Murphy, Carroll, Anderson
Adamn_92
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:28 PM
Comment #16Ah sorry Jail, yeah I think Tsunki very very briefly mentioned it yesterday as I was trying to catch up on the blog. Nothing major or to write home about though i’m sure, just found it amusing haha
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:32 PM
Comment #17Adamn_92,
Was it your Veganism being discussed.
Adamn_92
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:33 PM
Comment #18Jail, can’t remember Tsunki’s comment now and cba to go back and find it again haha probably a safe bet to say it was though
Tackle from behind
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:35 PM
Comment #19Dubai Micky
Just read another list (TalkSport) with stats provided by Opta also – but they have Liverpool on 401 and Man City on 707 – which seems more realistic to me for City at least.
I guess they cannot agree, so it will have to go to arbitration.
🙂
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:43 PM
Comment #20I suppose if a theory is completely debunked on one platform then take it to another where it is more widely agreed with. I think that’s how the EDL operate.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:47 PM
Comment #21Was our game pencilled in for the Saturday at one time. I’ve just spoke to a mate who I’d arranged to watch it with and he was sure it was the Saturday as well.
Tsunki
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:50 PM
Comment #22Adamn for Dave Temple it was a pretty light disagreement with your opinion but what made it funny was mund liking the comment by sticking up a “funny” gif clip of someone waving two carrots. That was it really. Just reaffirms you are indeed the perilous vegan ha ha 🙂
Tackle from behind
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:56 PM
Comment #23Looks like nothing else came out to back up Luke Edwards claim about takeover shutdown.
Nothing from De Marco or the arbi bargi
Nothing from Amanda, no ITKs, no Twitterites, no back page headlines.
This Toon – is coming like a ghost Toonn
Tsunki
Mar 3, 2021 at 12:57 PM
Comment #24At some point I think rather than waiting on every sniff of indication the takeover is really not returning, like a dog waiting for its dead master to return, we might be better off accepting the fact that the takeover deceased long, long ago, and that all that’s really happening is a spite case for Ashley to try and get some sort of compensation for it being scuppered by the PL.
It’s got to be healthier to focus on the here and now, plan for what needs to happen to our club and pressure this greedy owner to just leave us by any means. He’s probably only being bolstered by his online sd sales at the moment, his stores must be tanking. If and when “normailty” returns a discussion on productive boycotting of everything he owns should resume.
This takeover lark has served only one real purpose, to direct the spotlight away from him. And its done a good job of it too. Meanwhile he has steered us to relegation again
Tsunki
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Comment #25That shut you up. Was it my cheery disposition again?
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #26Tfb,
That’s a band I’ve wanted to see for years. Would really like to have done Hyde Park but settled for Durham cricket ground instead. Unfortunately I’d seen it advertised on the back of the Metro newspaper and got my dates mixed up with the one in Bristol and I was offshore. Luckily it was direct with Riverside and they gave me my money back.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:08 PM
Comment #27I’m more worried about going down than the takeover. If we stay up sooner or later someone will buy us. If we go down Ashley will need to add another 60m on the asking price, assuming we come straight back up, and that might mean we are never sold. Bruce could really ruin the entire future of our club as most of us suspected when he joined.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:10 PM
Comment #28I’d even bought a Fred Perry polo shirt for the occasion 😀
Tackle from behind
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:10 PM
Comment #29Jail
I was a big Ska fan as a youngun, saw almost all the Two Tone bands
Never got to see The Specials though, which I regret.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:13 PM
Comment #30JaFDB,
If the takeover doesn’t happen this summer then it’s simply a matter of time before we go down again. If new owners don’t arrive then Rafa staying was absolutely pointless and we might as well have stayed down there or at least gone straight back down.
Tackle from behind
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:14 PM
Comment #31Tsunki
I see it more as a sailor, lost at sea – and you’re always watching the shore waiting for the next boat to bring some news.
Everyone has to save face it seems, so none of the “participants” will say it’s off just in case it’s back on.
welshgeordie9
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:14 PM
Comment #323 points this weekend me thinks.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:15 PM
Comment #33Bruce has possibly been the most costly manager in history.
5m compensation.
2-3m a year wages. But that’s small fry compared to the damage.
100m net spend.
100m squad depreciation. Longstaff, Almiron, ASM, Lascelles, Schar, Lejuene.
10m giving out long contracts to old players who don’t play or are past it.
Then there could be more to come.
60m+ possible relegation (assuming we can get straight back up and not do a Villa)
Multi-millions lost (as well as trophies) due to being relegated and losing out on a takeover.
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:16 PM
Comment #34oh and a few million lost by playing such boring football 10,000 fans quit attending.
welshgeordie9
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:17 PM
Comment #35Apart from that, he’s been very good.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:19 PM
Comment #36Still trusting Bruce welsh, me auld balding pate.
welshgeordie9
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:21 PM
Comment #37At the beginning jail, like every other manager that comes in.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:22 PM
Comment #38JaFDB,
I think we can skip the trophies bit, not really much happening on that front for awhile.
welshgeordie9
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:23 PM
Comment #39Compare the fixtures between us and Fulham, it might go down to the last game, hope not we are away to them.
Jail for Ashley
Mar 3, 2021 at 1:23 PM
Comment #40Except for Rafa welsh, who you slated from day one 😕