With Newcastle yet to win this season, Steve Bruce could shake things up for the ultra-critical match against Leeds on Friday. There should be places up for grabs, especially at the back where Newcastle have conceded a league-worst 12 goals.
Bruce altered the formation for Manchester United going to a 5-4-1. He had deployed a 5-3-2 from the backend of last season through the first month of this campaign. Last season, before settling on the 5-3-2, there was a carousel of formations from the head coach.
There could be a few forced changes depending on the availability of Joe Willock, Javier Manquillo, and Ciaran Clark. The trio all picked up knocks over the weekend and couldn’t see out the match.
Paul Dummett has yet to play a part due to a calf injury that he recently reaggravated. He could be in contention for a return on Friday. Hopefully, that is the case as he’ll slot in nicely on the left side of the back three.
Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez were both dropped at Old Trafford. They could be in line for a return with Bruce yet to settle on a back three. It’ll be very interesting who gets the call on Friday at center-back.
The Chronicle is citing multiple reports that Bruce will drop Freddie Woodman in favor of Karl Darlow. The 24-year-old struggled against Manchester United after some decent performances.
Woodman is an emerging talent but still going through growing pains. It may be best to go with the more experienced Darlow for Leeds. He was outstanding during the first half of last season and can hopefully regain that form if he does get the call this week.
17 comments so far
Romford mag
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:30 AM
Comment #1Wor
There you go , Neil must have read your post đ
onmeedsun
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:33 AM
Comment #2TDS makes some reasonable points about staying positive about the club and giving unconditional support, in the hope that attracts a buyer. Weâll we did all of that and found a buyer, but between the lot of them theyâve f**ked it up big time.
So we just go again.
For how long though?
One more year, indefinitely or for the rest of our days.
Very hard to do especially if youâre a match going fan and not on drugs!
Rotonda heights
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:34 AM
Comment #3TDS
Ashley being Ashley can not camourflage what a desperately poor coach Bruce is. Bruce is the guy who said NUFC âwent above and beyondâ to get Willock.
If Wilson hadnât been injured we would have had 55M worth of players on the bench in Joel and lewis.
Bruce is entirely negative. He exudes negativity and misery and that translates to the fans. With Bruce there is always the lowering of expectations, bigging up of the opposition, ie Newport made to sound like playing Barcelona and always especially getting his excuses in early. Not to mention constantly insulting the fans at every club heâs been at.
Bruce was a good player, not a great player but a good one but heâs still dining out on that as his coaching ability is negligible.
The situation is I am afraid totally and wholly negative and Bruce canât hide behind Ashley as he is the only one apart from mclaren who ashley has backed and he even had the option of Jones being parachuted in to effectively do the job he canât or wonât, although he did claim to do the defence coaching. Enough said.
Bruce is stealing a living here and everyone knows it
Rotonda heights
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:35 AM
Comment #4Best change is bruce out.
carltoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:37 AM
Comment #5TDS, are you suggesting that the fans don’t support the team, are you saying we didn’t get behind the manager when he first came. Are you suggesting that even though he was HATED AND NOT WANTED, NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO MANAGE A PL TEAM that the fans didn’t try to help the team, well take it from a fan that goes to every home game, that could not be further from the truth. We’ve tried and tried, HE’S A DISGRACE, even from the beginning, he was disaster, he’s had it easy, and I for one will be up to give him every thing he deserves, I hope after the Leeds match he never ever comes back to Newcastle. Quite frankly he’s an absolute SHIT
carltoon
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:40 AM
Comment #6How bloody dare he even think he could come here and manage our team, A GEORDIE, my backside. You evidently don’t know the toxic atmosphere in the city at the moment.
Uncertain Toon/World
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:43 AM
Comment #7It’s as if Luke Charnley has joined the blog đ
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:45 AM
Comment #8Just got my tickets for Leeds on Friday, reckon it could be a cracking atmosphere as most evening games are – let alone a Friday night game with Leeds.
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:47 AM
Comment #9You wonder if Villa fans were of the same thinking when they had Bruce?
“Oh he’s doing his best don’t boo him blah blah blah”
Well they eventually cabbaged him and got in Smith and suddenly a team who looked useless turned amazing
People downing our players saying they aren’t good enough are simply not getting that the majority of them look poor is because of the coward in charge of the team
Jail for Ashley
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:47 AM
Comment #10Well said carltoon.
Uncertain Toon/World
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:47 AM
Comment #11TDS,
How can you say everything is pointless?, ergo not wanting to attempt and affect change. That is a negative, defeatist attitude by default.
Now, less of the negativity please đ
Jail for Ashley
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:50 AM
Comment #12UT/W
And Lee Edwards. What an ‘orrible little pair of hybrid barstewards they would make.
Jail for Ashley
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:53 AM
Comment #13GP,
I’m going on my mates ticket, praying I don’t get a check in for work.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:53 AM
Comment #14Our players arent that far off a top 10 team imo.
Look at leeds – their players are not any better than ours as a whole and yet with a good coach look at how the performances of the team exceed the individual abilities of the players.
Dubravka or Meslier?
their CBs vs Fede, Lascelles, Schar, Dummet?
wilson vs Bamford?
ASM and Miggy vs Raphinia and Harrison?
Player for player there isnt much difference between the 2 squads for me.
Imo a better coach could get better performances out of our current squad. a Bielsa or equivalent is streets ahead of Bruceball. not sure why TDS thinks we should accept what Bruce offers and not want him out and take a chance on someone who could improve us.
Yes Ashley is the biggest issue with the club, of course he is, but that doesnt mean bruce is getting the most out of our current squad. and that is why i wont “get behind the manager”. and im ignoring so many other aspects of why Bruce needs to go as well.
MAUTITOON
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:54 AM
Comment #15https://youtu.be/d2JuCB5WHfo
one fine day
Sep 14, 2021 at 11:57 AM
Comment #16Just been reading for the last few weeks but Carltoon at 5 / 6
That so needed to be said .
Due to covid Bruce has Been allowed to disrespect fans for two years .
Why the hell should we expected to get behind a fraud ?
Uncertain Toon/World
Sep 14, 2021 at 12:03 PM
Comment #17Jail,
I just don’t get the logic of some folk.
Talking of hybrids, my hybrid mountain bike back tyre needed some air, but me old pump ain’t very good. It’s pointless to want the required air pressure in it and I’ll just struggle along on a nearly flat tyre!
Nah, I think I want a new pump đ