No pressure, but Newcastle simply have to beat West Brom.
The Magpies threw away victory last week against Wolves, and have since seen Fulham pass up two opportunities to dump them in the bottom three.
A win against the Baggies would be a huge boost for Newcastle after what has been another chaotic week.
But with injuries piling up, Steve Bruce will be forced into multiple changes.
Isaac Hayden in defence
Emil Krafth’s injury inadvertently cost us last weekend, and then caused a fight.
He was replaced by Matt Ritchie. The substitute failed to pass on all of the tactical instructions to his teammates. We conceded a comical goal. Then there was a training ground bust-up between Bruce and Ritchie.
All of this because Krafth had to come off.
He’s 50-50 for the game against West Brom, but it would be a surprise to see him in the starting XI.
Despite carrying a knock himself, I expect Isaac Hayden to slot in at right back.
Hayden is one of our most versatile players, and has proven before that he can do a job in defence.
Return of Jeff Hendrick
With Hayden moving into defence, that will create an opening in midfield.
Both Longstaff brothers have fallen out of favour under Bruce, therefore I expect Jeff Hendrick to return to the side.
The summer signing hasn’t featured since his idiotic red card against Southampton.
However, his return may be a welcome one. Hendrick is actually the club’s top scorer in the league out of the players who are fit right now.
Can Gayle do it again?
In our last game against West Brom, Dwight Gayle was the saviour.
He came off the bench to power home a header and hand the Magpies a much-needed win.
Now there is huge pressure on his shoulders to deliver the goods again, this time from the start.
The 31-year-old is likely start up front in place of Miguel Almiron, but play in a much more advanced role than his Paraguayan teammate.
He’ll be joined in attack by Ryan Fraser and Joelinton. Can this new front three provide the goals that Newcastle need? We live in hope…
Predicted lineup to face West Brom: Dubravka; Hayden, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis; Willock, Shelvey, Hendrick; Joelinton, Gayle, Fraser.
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