Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

Opinion

Just this one change can give Newcastle team v West Ham far more threat

7 years ago
Share

When the Newcastle team v West Ham is named later today, we won’t be expecting many surprises.

The 11 named will surely be very similar to those that took on Huddersfield six days ago.

No new signings means no inspiration from that direction, whilst Rafa’s press conference on Friday actually made clear he would have fewer options.

Dwight Gayle and Rolando Aarons are now doubts for today’s game, whilst Karl Darlow will definitely not be available.

In addition, the United boss also confirmed that Yedlin and Lejeune, as well as Paul Dummett, weren’t ready to return either.

So what can Rafa do to change/improve things?

At the back it is pretty limited for choice and the makeshift defence actually looked ok at Huddersfield, so no need to make any hasty changes there.

Hayden and Merino look set for centre of midfield after showing some signs of promise last weekend, especially considering their ages and lack of experience. Whilst the thought of playing either Colback or Diame there, just isn’t one you want to contemplate.

There is one change though that I think is essential, particularly if we want to see more threat towards a West Ham goal that has already conceded seven goals in the opening two matches.

Matt Ritchie looks one of the few who can definitely look at home in the top tier and needs to be utilised far more.

I would move him into that number 10 role behind whoever is playing as the main striker, likely to be either Gayle or Joselu.

The biggest weakness of the team in the opening two matches has surely been Ayoze Perez.

Playing in that free role it is his job to make things happen, as well as tracking back when needs be, and he has been abysmal. His lack of pace and real commitment to get on the ball and create something, means there is no link between midfield and attack.

Last season the Spaniard was alternated with Mohamed Diame as neither convinced in the Championship and playing the former Hull player today would be almost certainly worse than keeping Perez in position.

Matt Ritchie works non-stop and is always looking to get a shot or a cross/pass away and I think in a free role he can cause problems for the Hammers. He can go right or left and at the very least he will have a go and make defenders commit and give Newcastle free-kicks in decent positions.

On the wings is one of the positions where Newcastle do have options and if Rolando Aarons is passed fit he can take Ritchie’s place on the wing, or failing that Jacob Murphy can come in and with youth and pace on the side of either option, they wouldn’t be a weakness to the team.

Matt Ritchie can be the key player to make the difference, if Rafa gives him the opportunity to be more influential today.

My Newcastle team v West Ham would be:

Elliot

Manquillo

Lascelles

Clark

Mbemba

Aarons

Merino

Hayden

Atsu

Ritchie

Gayle

(All contributions from Newcastle fans welcome, whatever your views(!), send articles (as well as ideas/suggestions) to contribute@themag.co.uk)

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks