Who Plays Against Man U?

After a third home defeat in succession and five defeats in our last six PL games Eddie Howe has possibly the biggest selection decision of the season to make.

Ruthless decision needed in midfield

Nick Woltemade cannot be selected.

His performances against Qarabag and Everton were abject, and he knows it.

Even when moved back to a ST role after 30 minutes of the Everton game his body language was that of a player whose confidence and self belief is shattered.

It was painful to see, and he needs to be taken out of the side because another performance like that at SJP risks the crowd turning on our record signing.

That would be devastating for young Nick and make Eddie Howe's job of salvaging his Newcastle career even more difficult.

Woltemade needs to go on the bench and my hope is that he comes on as a ST and scores - because that is the only way I see his confidence being reignited.

Wissa or Gordon?

Let's not mince words.

Eddie Howe has a massive ST problem, and an equally massive RW issue.

Of our two ST signings Woltemade has taken the brunt of criticism but Wissa, after a decent early goal start, has been just as ineffective.

He hasn't had the playing time that Woltemade has enjoyed (or not enjoyed) but he has done nothing in his recent time on the pitch to justify anywhere near his £55M fee.

Given the benefit of the doubt, Wissa could have an argument that he needs a run in the side to show his real potential. The question is - will Eddie give him that run?

At 29 years old Wissa's best seasons could very soon be behind him and this season, to date, has been a waste not only for the player but also for Eddie Howe.

Is Wissa good enough to be our No.2 ST, never mind No.1?

Eddie won't find out unless he plays him and that's why I'd give him that run of games.

If Wissa is fit enough to be on the bench, he is fit enough to start.

The real fitness issue is match fitness and he won't get that sitting on his backside on the bench.

Gordon or Wissa at ST against Man U? Another big decision for Eddie Howe.

Elanga also cannot start

Like Woltemade, Elanga was abject against Qarabag and Everton and was subbed along with his fellow new signing ten minutes into the second half against the Toffees.

On Saturday, as I watched Ndiaye put in a MOTM display down the wing for Everton, I couldn't help but compare his range of skills to our £55M signing from Forest.

No comparison. Absolutely none.

My opinion on Elanga, expressed in a previous post, is that he is a 'push and run' winger.

In other words; his strength is hitting the ball beyond his marker and then using his pace to beat the man to the ball before whipping a cross in. That's what he did at Forest.

His problem is that, because Newcastle are seen as a bigger attacking threat than Forest, we regularly face low blocks so Elanga is denied the space for his 'push and runs'.

It's harsh to say Elanga is a one trick pony - but unless Eddie can work his magic on him he is a pony that will struggle to get past the winning post in a black and white top.

Two Elanga decisions for Eddie Howe - does he play against Man U and, more crucially, does Eddie persevere with him next season.

Miles off a top 4 squad

This squad isn't, IMO, good enough to challenge for a top four spot next season.

Not being in the CL won't stretch the squad to the same degree, but let's not fool ourselves that only competing on three fronts will magically makes us far better.

Our current GK, ST and RW are mid table at best.

We have no cover for RB and Tino might be off in the summer.

We have no cover for LB if Hall is out - Burn is not a realistic option.

Schar is past his best and Burn might have one more season at the top.

Botman hasn't reached the heights of his first season and is injury prone.

We have Ramsey, Willock and Miley as cover for our midfield.

The big five - I'm leaving Spurs out - will undoubtedly spend big again this summer and will hoover up the best of the most obvious talent. As they did last summer.

If we don't get our transfer strategy right for the next window - and identify talent at realistic prices and wages - this season might not be a one off. It could happen again.

Our now full quota of decision makers needs to show their mettle.

I hope they are not wasting a minute of their time planning this summers strategy.

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