Newcastle’s recent lack of prowess in front of goal is a point of intrigue heading into Tuesday’s first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Southampton. The Magpies have created plenty of chances but just haven’t had their finishing boots on in recent weeks.
That could lead Eddie Howe to alter his team tomorrow. Conventional wisdom is Howe will go with his preferred eleven. However, tweaking the lineup could spark the desired result of more goals.
I suspect Howe will make a bold change by dropping Callum Wilson and handing a start to Alexander Isak. It would be harsh on Wilson but giving him a break may benefit the 30-year-old in the long run.
This is the team I am predicting Howe will select with just the one change at the top of the pitch. It would be Isak’s first league start since the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in September.
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217 comments so far
Pottsclock
Jan 23, 2023 at 7:56 PM
Comment #1It would have been a bald change if Shelvey had started
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 7:56 PM
Comment #2I worked in a bar once that had a tips jar with Tip-Ping is not a place in China 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 7:57 PM
Comment #3Written on the front of it 😀
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 7:58 PM
Comment #4I think it’s time to unleash Isak.
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 7:58 PM
Comment #5This is getting ridiculous isn’t there 1 striker 1 midfielder 1 full back 1 centre back out there we can sign even on loans?
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 7:58 PM
Comment #6Wilson has not been at the races since that WC.
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 7:59 PM
Comment #7I meant we have always had a driving licence card with picture on even with paper licence
Not another deJong
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Comment #8Arsenal, Newcastle and Chelsea keen on Onana
Everton have FFP issues and now need to finance a new manager. Hardly see them selling their best player, but would be good.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:01 PM
Comment #9https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xriZx8xQbmk
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:02 PM
Comment #10I dont mind the initial 433 as we have been keeping loads of clean sheets. However from 70th minutes onwards I want to see more risk with 4231 with isak play off a striker like wilson asm on left almiron on right and go to win the game. Or change it around like isak up top asm left murphy right almiron n10 but with 2 midfielders like bruno and joelinton instead of 3
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:03 PM
Comment #11Iwobi is evertons best player
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:04 PM
Comment #12Neil
I’m getting a weird sense of deja vu with that team! 🙂
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:04 PM
Comment #13If you want more goals I’m not sure you’d drop a centre forward who was so good just a few weeks ago that he forced his way into England’s World Cup squad, and the player who leads our press so well. We aren’t talking Chris Wood here.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:05 PM
Comment #14pottsclock
Especially if he came on the pitch on crutches.
Raj of Hailsley
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:05 PM
Comment #15I don’t think a rest will do him any harm Ntbt.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:07 PM
Comment #16Did someone say earlier that Notts Forest fans were having a moan about him already?
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:07 PM
Comment #17Predictions for tomorrow im going 0-0 😀
Nicky the ball tosser
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:08 PM
Comment #18I understand the calls for Isak to start, but not for Wilson. We want more goals then play them both, and St Max, in a 4231.
…………………….Pope.
Trippier…..Schar….Botman…Burn.
……………..Bruno….Joel.
….Miggy…………Isak……..St Max.
……………………Wilson.
Very tough on Willock and Longstaff though, who are simply going from strength to strength.
Wor B
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:10 PM
Comment #19Ap
Photocard driving licences were introduced April 1999.
What do you imagine we had before?
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:10 PM
Comment #20Apparently Richards is going to a top five English on trial, not necessarily to us.
Davas
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:11 PM
Comment #21AP
I’ve never had a photo licence. Mine, like others on here, was issued long before photo licenses ever came out
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:12 PM
Comment #223-1 to us!
lochinvar
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:12 PM
Comment #23What we don’t know is what Wilson has been ill with ?
Covid ?
Some Qatari flu or desert infection ?
A bad dose of the flu that’s been doing the rounds
Or a combination of all three
Whatever he’s had the outcome is fatigue, loss of energy, malaise.
Just takes time and more vitamins to get back to full strength.
Hopefully soon
Davas
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:12 PM
Comment #24Ah. Wor B got there first
Davas
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:12 PM
Comment #25Aces50
Definitely hope it is a good omen
lochinvar
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:13 PM
Comment #26Wor B
Red flags ?
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:13 PM
Comment #27My paper license fell apart it was so old! 🙂
AnyToon in Indiana
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:13 PM
Comment #28Nice story and photos of Shearer, Given and Harper together over the weekend.
https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/steve-harper-seeing-more-black-and-white-shirts-shows-the-size-and-potential-of-this-club/
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:16 PM
Comment #29Arent you supposed to renew your license like every 10 years? I dont know what did you get pre 1999? Im guessing you could drive without a licence lol
Davas
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:16 PM
Comment #30I enjoyed the last semi final so much I’m going to repost it and I don’t care. 😀
“Last time NUFC were in the semi final. I was sat in the East Stand for the game (first time in a seat for a home game)”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wX_TK6Ir1Y
Ap
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:17 PM
Comment #31Tickets general sale tomorrow 10am
Not another deJong
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:17 PM
Comment #32“He had an illness after the World Cup. With Callum, he’s missed big chunks of training, and I think that always affects your sharpness as a player, regardless of position. Callum’s worked really hard for the team, and knowing him as I do, the goals are just around the corner.”
Howe could possibly start with both Isak and Wilson and if either needs to be replaced, change the formation back to 433. Would be a strong starting line-up and get the lead early??
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:17 PM
Comment #33College football seems to be a big thing in the USA!
AnyToon in Indiana
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:17 PM
Comment #34That is a gastly kit that Spurs are sporting today…..just saying
bettyswallocks
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:18 PM
Comment #35I’m just watching Clough.- The Brian Clough Story…….
They’re not meckin em like him anymore…
sparky55
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:19 PM
Comment #36Isak know hows to press…he’ll be just as good as Wilson at leading the press and 10 times better than ASM if he plays on the left because ASM does nowt but expose BDB who is too slow to be left with no cover.
If we play ASM then we take away the attacking positives because as soon as he goes down and sits on his arse for a minimum of 30 seconds waving his hands like he’s trying to land a jet on aircraft carrier then we’re 10 v 11 and we’re on the back foot.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:20 PM
Comment #37Can’t remember for sure but I think I got my 1st driving license around about 1963.
Not another deJong
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:22 PM
Comment #38Not a bad alternative:
——–Isak—Wilson—Murphy
Joelinton—Longstaff—Willock
Burn—Botman—Schar—Manquillo
——————Pope
Essex Geordie Bill
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:24 PM
Comment #39Sparky
BDB aint that slow mate, covers a lot of ground with his lanky legs and at a fair rate.
A Geordie Mongrel
Jan 23, 2023 at 8:24 PM
Comment #40Sir Pug, you must have missed Wor B’s reply previous bus. In short email admin with the new picture and ask nicely. 🙂