Alan Shearer knows what Eddie Howe should do as the Newcastle United manager weighs up a selection dilemma.
The Magpies appear to have found the recipe for success. All season, Newcastle United have struggled for balance. The midfield has not quite been functioning to the best of its ability, despite including stars such as Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton.
During Newcastle’s previous two games, only one of that trio has started in centre-midfield. Instead, Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock have come into the side, while Joelinton has been asked to play on the left wing.
That has given Newcastle greater balance, and it has allowed them to pick up important wins over Chelsea and Arsenal.
It now looks as if Eddie Howe has a team that he can rely on to execute his gameplan moving forwards. However, that could be bad news for Sandro Tonali, who started as a substitute on Saturday.
Alan Shearer knows what Newcastle United’s best XI is
The changes Eddie Howe has made over the past few days have changed the way Newcastle play for the better.
And that is why Alan Shearer thinks the current Newcastle starting XI is the one they should stick with moving forwards.
The Toon legend admitted that on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football podcast, after Micah Richards praised Newcastle’s balance against Arsenal and asked Shearer if he would stick with this side.
“Totally agree with you,” he said.
“That was key to how Newcastle played. The balance in midfield and the balance of the front three. Joelinton put a shift in on the left-hand side. It was much better.
“Eddie’s been searching for that right balance. He’s struggled to find it. I thought because of what happened on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea, there were signs then that the energy was back and everything they were searching for – it was nearly there. I thought if they could carry that into the game against Arsenal, and they did that.
“You’re absolutely right. The balance looked absolutely spot on. So yeah, I would stick with that if everyone’s fit. Definitely.”
Key players will miss out for Newcastle if Eddie Howe sticks with this XI
Based on Saturday’s performance, Howe has to stick with that starting XI. Newcastle were outstanding against Arsenal, and looked much more like their usual selves.
But that means Tonali could be set for a spell on the bench. That seems harsh, as the Chelsea win was Tonali’s best ever performance for Newcastle.
However, the midfield functions better with Longstaff, while the dovetailing between Joelinton and Willock is a very dangerous weapon.
When you look at it like that, Tonali has to be on the bench.
And he will be joined there by Harvey Barnes. He has been pushing to start on the left wing ahead of Anthony Gordon, yet now it is Joelinton who has made that position his own.
That has forced Gordon to play on the right, which is not his preferred side, while it has made Barnes an even more unlikely starter.
However, that does at least mean Newcastle have strength in depth. They have players who can come on and make a difference.
But for now, the Newcastle starting XI that beat Arsenal should be the Newcastle starting XI moving forwards. There is simply no reason to change a winning team.
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