Gibbo: A real chance for a united Newcastle to pick up points
A REAL CHANCE FOR A UNITED NEWCASTLE TO PICK UP POINTS
WEST BROM offer hope, promise and reassurance. To Newcastle United.
What they offer themselves is quite another matter, propping up most from second bottom of the Premier League with seven defeats in 11 matches and a manager locked in cantankerous talk with owners.
Of course United are not cruising along on blue seas themselves, wrapped in uncertain results and the disruptive after-effects of a corona outbreak at headquarters.
So it is more a matter of who can rise to the challenge.
It had better be a united Newcastle and please can we have a positive start to set the tempo in a match where three points are imperative.
Far too often, Geordies have been left biting their finger nails rather than enjoying the luxury of being in the ascendancy.
Newcastle have started slowly time after time, disappearing into their defensive shell like an apprehensive tortoise.
Incredibly, only two of United’s 12 Premier League goals have come in the firsthalf and one of them was totally wasted.
True, Allan Saint-Maximin netted after quarter of an hour to set up a 3-1 victory over another bunch of relegation worriers Burnley but an own goal gift by Luke Shaw did nothing to inspire against Manchester United, who roared back to slaughter the homesters 4-1.
United’s other 10 goals have come after half-time with all seven efforts from saviour Callum Wilson scored in the second half.
The Magpies are late, late specialists – Wilson has scored after 84, 87, 89 and 97 minutes, Jacob Murphy and Joelinton in the 89th.
While we are grateful for every crumb which falls from the table it is not always good for the health, especially when the likes of West Brom come to town.
Fortune favours the brave, they say, and United certainly need to be bold. In tactics, in decisiveness, in hunger. They must disregard ring rust and absent friends to set the tempo of the match from the kick off. Press high not deep and get forward in numbers.
Surely for the very first time this Premier League season they can enjoy more possession than their opponents and convert that into enough goals to win.
Callum Wilson needs more support both in terms of creativity and finishing.
For goodness sake, United’s second top Premer League scorer this season has a grand total of one. That dubious honour is shared by Jeff Hendrick, Saint-Maximin, Murphy, Joelinton and MrOwn Goal.
Nevertheless this is a points-gathering opportunity and must be taken if the season is not going to disintergrate into a relentless slog against football’s great fear – relegation.
Quite bluntly, this and Newcastle’s next home match against another struggler Fulham had better produce six points as a cushion against much stiffer tests ahead.
If it’s a must-win for Albion because, well, every match is these tough days, then it is the same for United because rare chances must be taken at this level.
If they are outclassed by the elite, like Liverpool and Manchester City, plus the upwardly mobile such as Leicester and Southampton - which is shameful to a club capable in theory of being at a similar level - then Newcastle must prove those in the relegation cellar are indeed a cut below.
West Bromwich are truly woeful. If Newcastle’s set of figures are far from heartwarming, look at this sorry lot.
Twenty three goals conceded, the most in the Premier League. At least three leaked on four occasions with Everton and Palace helping themselves to five.
At t’other end only eight goals have been scored in 11 matches, the second worst record in the division. Six times they have failed to score at all.
That all adds up to one thing: Albion cannot score or keep them out.
Still, work rate and attitude will be key for Newcastle because there is not enough topdrawer quality to showboat. West Bromwich are inviting only if the approach is right otherwise an upset can happen.
What personnel Steve Bruce can utilise given injuries and corona isolation remains to be seen but excuses are not the order of the day. Each man has a duty to stand up for himself and the others.
Last time out a fortnight ago Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles were injured, Isaac Hayden was missing presumed housebound due to the pandemic, a resurrected Jacob Murphy dropped and Matt Ritchie used as a substitute on his long-awaited comeback. Bruce took the opportunity to flatten out the back line into a four, play an extra body in midfield and two up top.
Another shuffling of the pack or not, the tone has been set for the type of match it is.
Crystal Palace without Wilfried Zaha produced a chance to be on the front foot and victory duly came even if possession stats were as usual. West Brom represent an even better opportunity.