Every game is a must win for Newcastle United these days. Here’s what they need to do to give themselves a chance this weekend…
Start the young strikers
Recent reports suggest Alan Pardew will stick with his single-striker system at Swansea City but that could not be further from what the Magpies need this weekend.
Indeed, with Ayoze Perez having scored four in a friendly this week and Adam Armstrong impressing during the Capital One Cup, why not give them a go?
Newcastle have nothing to lose right now and the freshness of the young strikers could really help in Wales.
Inspire Tiote
Cheick Tiote has been a problematic presence for the Magpies of late.
The Ivorian has been nowhere near his best in the Premier League this season and appeared to confirm his desire to leave St James’ Park yesterday.
However, Tiote has since pledged his allegiance to Pardew’s side and this weekend provides the perfect opportunity to utilise that supposed dedication. The Newcastle boss needs to tell the Ivorian to simply show what his future on Tyneside means to him.
Have a defensive game-plan
There are too many flaws within Newcastle’s current performances to discuss in one paragraph but Monday’s defeat to Stoke City was actually a thing of fine margins.
Stoke weren’t brilliant and won the game through a Peter Crouch header. But to allow service to a target man like Crouch and not stop him from heading home is unforgivable. It was obvious the Potters were always going to look to him.
This week, it’ll be about neutralising those same threats. Stifle the likes of Nathan Dyer, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Colback and co can win the midfield battle.
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