Newcastle United started the season with a loss but a small tactical change by Steve Bruce could help bring the club back to winning ways.
Newcastle United were hugely impressive on the opening day despite a 1-0 loss at the hands of Arsenal at St. James’ Park. Arsenal’s makeshift starting lineup was there for the taking, but a terrible positional mistake by skipper Jamaal Lascelles gifted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang the winner on Sunday.
Steve Bruce’s side, despite much criticism before the start of the campaign, looked solid for most parts and could have easily scored a couple of goals in the first half.
Record-signing Joelinton caused quite a few problems to Arsenal’s centre-halves, while Miguel Almiron was as lively as ever.
However, the Paraguayan was given a free role just off Joelinton, which in some ways hurt Newcastle’s wide play. The Brazilian is a massive threat in the air, but the Magpies failed to put that to use with the lack of crosses from the wider areas.
Allan Saint-Maximin’s introduction in the second period proved how good Newcastle can be on the attack with their wide players, and Steve Bruce could use the Frenchman and Almiron’s pace down the flanks to cause serious trouble to almost any opposition in the league.
With a crucial fixture against newly-promoted Norwich City coming up this weekend, Bruce can expect an open game.
A front three of Almiron, Joelinton and Saint-Maximin, with the likes of Longstaff and Shelvey feeding them, could help Newcastle run riot against a Canaries side that looked clueless in defence against Liverpool on the opening day.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
