Eddie Howe has important choices to make at Wolves.
As club football gets back underway this weekend, Eddie Howe will have to make some much-needed selection decisions as Newcastle United travels to Molineux on Sunday. Wolverhampton has been a hard hunting ground for the Magpies in recent seasons but the north east team have a multitude of alternatives at their disposal for the journey to the Midlands.
A good chunk of Howe’s team picks itself at present, with Nick Pope in between the sticks, Fabian Schar expected to return in place of Emil Krafth, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton poised to start again, with a new-look front three of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes expected to once again lead the line.
Before the trip to Wolves, there is disagreement about three places and six players. In light of this, we asked our Chronicle Live crew to weigh in on who should start for Howe this weekend: Tino Livramento or Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall or Lloyd Kelly, and Sandro Tonali or Sean Longstaff.
Lee Ryder
I think the time is right to bring Kieran Trippier back in the team ahead of what should be deemed a tricky away day at Wolves. In the last away game at AFC Bournemouth, Howe turned to Trippier the moment things started to go pear shaped and Tino Livramento was sacrificed. That doesn’t mean that Livramento should be benched, after all he had a very good game in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur but Howe knows he can mould the full-back pairing in a few different ways.
Both Tino and Trippier are capable of playing left back, but in the end, I think it’s important to have the former England defender on the pitch. His ability to lead and execute set plays can be the deciding elements on a difficult day. Trippier and Tino as full-backs, with Lewis Hall and Lloyd Kelly on the bench, is how I would start.
Regarding the midfield choices, this is actually a difficult one. Sean Longstaff has not done anything wrong to lose his spot. Tonali may end up on the bench given his strenuous international fortnight, which saw him complete two 90-minute spells. However, in order to ensure his place on the team, Longstaff will need to step up his game.
Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United’s real selection problems are a nice change, and any three of these six players may start against Molineux given their strong performances on the international stage, especially Lewis Hall and Sandro Tonali. But instead of twisting, I’m going to be incredibly dull and stick.
In the match against Spurs, Tino Livramento made the most clearances of any player, while Lloyd Kelly offers Newcastle greater height at the back, which will undoubtedly be needed on Sunday. I wouldn’t want to make many changes to the back four, especially for a game that is being played away from home, if Fabian Schar is already replacing Emil Krafth.
After such a long absence, I would wait to start Tonali from the beginning against Wolves, which would be his third start in less than a week, and instead introduce the Italy international from the start against Fulham the following week. In midfield, Tonali has played a full 90 minutes in back-to-back games in quick succession for the first time in a year.
Verdict: Livramento, Kelly & Longstaff
Aaron Stokes
Despite late interest from Turkey, I’m quite happy that Newcastle United held onto Kieran Trippier. The Magpies should ideally have two elite players competing at every position, and they currently have that at right-back. Nevertheless, I would still start Tino Livramento at Wolves right now.
Eddie Howe himself has been uns
ure about a serious challenge that exists on the other wing. Lewis Hall had a great international break, providing two assists in England Under-21s’ victory against Austria Under-21s, but I believe Lloyd Kelly is a better fit for this matchup because Newcastle is probably going to be a little more defensive and have less possession.
It’s a nice conundrum to have, as I mentioned earlier this week, but I wasn’t sure how Howe would decide on his preferred midfield trio moving ahead. Despite playing 180 minutes for Italy recently, Sandro Tonali has shown everyone incorrect about his level of fitness, thus I’d let him start on Sunday to continue his excellent performances. That is in no way a disservice to Longstaff, who continues to be Howe’s midfield’s unsung hero.
Verdict:nt Livrameo, Kelly, Tonali
Stuart Jamieson
When Newcastle plays Wolves, Sandro Tonali must get the start. Controlling the midfield counts for so much in the contemporary game and while United have players who can harm any team on the break, they’re at their best when they can control the ball. Tonali, who has shown his fitness with Italy, replaces Sean Longstaff, who is a great off-the-bench option for tired legs.
It’s a harder decision somewhere else. Even if Kieran Trippier is still a class act and makes no difference to United’s starting lineup, I’m still going with Tino Livramento. Howe should not waver from his decision, even if it means that Tripps will play a less part.
Conversely, although I still think highly of Lewis Hall, it would be unfair to bench Lloyd Kelly following his impressive showing against Spurs. It might be argued that playing every week is the ideal way for Hall to hone his defensive skills, particularly with Sven Botman back and providing some pace as a covering center-half. Howe appears to be favoring Kelly, but like Livramento, I believe that sticking with Hall will ultimately be in Newcastle’s best interests.
Verdict: Livramento, Hall & Tonali
James Smailes
Even though Eddie Howe hasn’t said it out, it seems that by leaving Kieran Trippier out of the starting lineup so far this season, he has already made it apparent that he wants to play full back. The long-term future has supplanted the past and present, much like the national team. Tino Livramento is prepared and can only carry out that global pledge if given the chance to firmly establish himself in the position.
When it comes to the discussion between Lewis Hall and Lloyd Kelly, there is no comparison in terms of age and experience gaps. Although Kelly now owns the clothing, Hall has done nothing wrong. Livramento and Hall together at full-back could make the lineup a touch too youthful for Howe, which might leave Newcastle’s wings a little too exposed. With Kelly’s more expertise and the Tino decision, it seems like less of a risk.
The debate over the midfield is straightforward, and it’s not directed at Sean Longstaff. Sandro Tonali is eager to get back into the game, is healthy enough to start, and his talent and composure both with and without the ball are undeniable. After his 20-minute cameo against Tottenham, he has to be included right now.
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