Callum Wilson says he wants to start alongside Alexander Isak more often

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Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are both in amazing goal-scoring form for Newcastle United at the moment, giving Eddie Howe a lot to think about.

Eddie Howe has one of those “nice” headaches that managers love to have. He has two strikers in fantastic form but plays a system that only really requires one of them on the pitch at any one time. Although he has started to tinker with the idea of both playing together.

That’s a system that Callum Wilson is looking forward to as he told BT Sport last night that he’s looking forward to playing together with Alexander Isak more often. Speaking after the Everton game, Wilson touched on the differences between him and Isak saying: “Yeah he’s a top player and you want to play with good players all the same. Unfortunately we play in the same position most of the time. When he plays out wide he can do stuff like that.

Wilson drops a not-so-subtle hint to Eddie Howe

“I’m more of natural nine, he’s more of a natural wide player. Hopefully we get some more time on the pitch together.”

Clearly Wilson was hinting to Howe there to stick Isak out wide so he can continue down the middle. Very subtle, Callum, but we see you.

Eddie Howe also addressed the healthy competition between the two in his post-match press conference, telling the media: “I think both players know they can’t afford a bad game. The other player is breathing down their neck. There’s very healthy competition at the moment. I think there’s a lot of respect between both players, I think they understand what each other’s strengths are.”

Seeing both on the pitch is great but Howe has to play it safe

There had been rumblings that Wilson was unhappy at being left on the bench so often with Alexander Isak’s form keeping him out of the team, but it was just a bad take from a quote that Wilson had said about wanting to play more – of course he does, what player doesn’t?

If we had more cover in the striker position there’s more chance that Wilson and Isak would play together I feel, but because they’re really our only two recognised strikers, risking both for a full 90 minutes would be a crazy play from Howe. Also, the system Howe is using works, why change it?

Personally, the rotation works for me. Using one for 70-75 minutes then bringing on the other to run at the opposition’s tired defence is a solid strategy and is proving to be very viable lately.