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Opinion

Three alternative team selections for Newcastle v Liverpool

8 years ago
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I am so sick of Colocinni and his lack of leadership, the man doesn’t have a spine let alone the ability to play football anymore.

In my last article I stated that Colo should be dropped and have the captaincy removed starting with Newcastle v Liverpool, after careful consideration I am now not only stating it, I am outright demanding it!

What is the point of having a captain that not only is one of your biggest weaknesses within the team, but also shirks all responsibility that should be a captain’s to have (both on and off the pitch).

The man was past his sell-by date last season, so why we continue to have faith in him is beyond me. I will admit, in the past, I have loved Colo, he was a standout performer when we finished 5th, but now, he is just too painstakingly bad to have in the team.

Never would I ever have thought I would say this but I am actually glad to see Williamson back with the team, also, how I wish Steve Taylor was fit. The man may be short a brain cell or too, and may not be the best defender, but he would not stand for this crap that we have been producing this season.

Now, one of our other ‘defenders’, Janmaat. I really like the guy, and I thought he had a great year last season, but he is just annoying me so much this year. As I previously wrote, the guy is always out of position when defending. He is great going forward, but what’s the point of playing at right back if you can’t defend?

The guy in front of him, Sissoko, does nothing to help and is having such a poor season as well. Maybe it’s time to drop Sissoko altogether. Give him a kick up the backside. Tell him if he wants to go to the Euros with France, he best start performing, otherwise he will be sitting on the bench.

With no obvious replacement for Moussa, why not give the guy who likes to be up the pitch so much a chance to show what he can do in that position. Why not play Janmaat right wing, can’t be any worse than what we are currently doing, can it? Let Janmaat play right wing and actually get someone playing right back who can defend. Mbabu springs to mind. Lascelles as well, but he seems to have a minor injury.

Any of the youth team? I would rather a kid with everything to prove was playing, rather than these inept ‘established professionals’. Dummett seems to need a break, so maybe Mbabu left and a youngster right, or the other way around. Who knows.

Last season, I wrote about how Siem de Jong was ready to take over from Cabaye and be that midfield force that we were missing. He was (still is as far as I am aware) vice-captain and looking like the thing we miss most on the pitch. Not only a talented footballer, but a leader, as shown with his time at Ajax. The man was set to lead a wave of new hope for all Newcastle fans, only to get a season ending injury.

Now, the man is fully fit (apparently) and raring to go. The guy can play in the centre of midfield and further up. I even read recently that he can be used as a number 9, because his movement off the ball is so good. He is able to read the game, make the runs, make the passes and score goals. Why this guy, in Newcastle’s current situation, isn’t playing is beyond me.

Get him in the team anywhere you can. Give him the captain’s armband for Newcastle v Liverpool and get Colo out of the team. Siem already is willing to stand up in front of the press and discuss the shocking performances, something Colo refuses to do. The man knows what it means to be a leader, so just let him do it.

Below are a few formations that I would rather see than the same dross we are seeing week in week out. Obviously, with Lascelles injured, a replacement would be needed. Like I said, get a youngster in.

Selection 1

Selection 2

Selection 3

(To feature like Alisdair, send in your articles for our website to contribute@themag.co.uk)

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