Toffees will put Toon unbeaten run to the test
UNITED will desperately wish to return to winning ways against a dour and defiant Everton tonight to set them up for another away day toughie at Tottenham this weekend.
Their proud record of only one defeat in 10 Premier League matches – a stark contrast to last season’s limpalong opening – is being put to the test in a cascade of games before the World Cup brings an unaccustomed mid-season break in hostilities.
However Newcastle will have to break Everton’s resistance without the added support of record signing Alexander Isak and ace trickster Allan Saint-Maximin.
I feel for Isak. He has just arrived at the club, much trumpeted at £60m, and got off to a flyer at Liverpool but now he is out probably until after the World Cup having managed only three games.
It is an obvious blow to him but also to the club after searching so long to find cover for Callum Wilson.
Maxi’s prolonged absence is as bad, leaving United looking thin on resources when it comes to attacking options to change a match.
It puts extra pressure on Wilson who has been slightly off the boil in his last two games.
Standing in the way of all black and white tonight will be Jordan Pickford, the man Geordies love to hate.
A Mackem supporter from the cradle who went on to keep goal for his beloved Sunderland, he has infuriated Newcastle fans in the past both with his persistent timewasting and his willingness to work the crowd.
Nevertheless, despite his obvious lack of popularity on Tyneside Pickford will go to Qatar as England’s No.1 goalkeeper ahead of United’s Nick Pope which will only give the St James Park set-to an extra edge in the eyes of Toonies.
In an effort to become more resistant Everton have attempted to erect a strong barrier in front of Pickford by importing central defenders Conor Coady and James Tarkowski which will they hope make it doubly difficult for Wilson et al.
No doubt Eddie Howe will consider spreading the load with three matches in eight days, two on the road. Niggling knocks as well as tired limbs will dictate who does what.
However, setbacks or not the bottom line is United take some beating. They have let in the fewest goals of any PL side – only nine in 10 matches – nd no one has lost less games. The Mags have many players exceptionally popular with punters – Bruno Guimaraes, Big Joe, Callum, Kieran Trippier – but Dan Burn can lay claim to be included in such exalted company.
Fans love the big-hearted Geordie who will die for the cause yet his case is more intriguing than most.
He was bought in the January window as a left-sided central defender and did much to help rid United of relegation fears – but Howe still sanctioned a £35m bid for another big left-sided central defender in the next window.
Sven Botman is proving to be a classy addition to the ranks, though while Burn seems like his identical twin it has not become a straight choice between the two of them as many would anticipate.
Howe loves Burn enough to want to keep him in his starting line-up and so has squeezed him in above others at left-back, a position where is must be said he had played at Brighton.
Such a bold step is both reassuring and frustrating at the same time – reassuring to Burn who must have been dismayed when Botman was bought for relatively big money and frustrating for orthodox left-backs like Matt Targett, Jamal Lewis and Paul Dummett who have been reduced to fighting for a seat on a nine-man subs bench.
Burn will give you everything he has and he can defend but he can also be exposed wide on the left.
His lack of pace can be a drawback not only in breaking forward but when confronted by talented flying wingers running at him.
Antony had Burn on toast at Old Trafford because he has natural speed yet for some inexplicable reason failed to take him on as often as he ought especially after the Newcastle man was booked.
Botman is at a different level. There is a campaign in Holland for Louis Van Gaal to call him up for the World Cup as back-up to Nathan Ake.
■ WHY not come down to Pumphreys in the Bigg Market before the game and say hello? I am on with Lee Clark, who is making a one-off appearance as my guest at 6.15pm. Entry is free.