For the first time in what feels like an age, things aren’t going particularly well at Newcastle United.
Heading into the international break on the back of three consecutive losses is – no matter how difficult the fixtures were – hardly fitting of a club looking to maintain their spot in the Champions League places.
While there is no need to panic just yet, Eddie Howe must turn things around when Brentford head up to St James’ Park next weekend.
Indeed, it’ll be fascinating to see if the Newcastle manager makes changes. Of the four first-team signings made during the summer, only Sandro Tonali has consistently made the starting XI, but the new arrivals could be set for more action after the break.
Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento and Harvey Barnes can all offer fresh options across the park, something that could be crucial with things looking a little stale right now.
In fact, Howe thinks that skill of versatility will be huge.
Eddie Howe speaks on summer signings
In quotes relayed by the Shields Gazette, Howe spoke of that particular trait.
“I think [versatility] it’s going to be important this season,” he said. “The players that can play different positions will be really valuable for us because you can never foresee what is going to happen.
“You might get two or three injuries in one position and then need to shift things around. So to have the players that can do that is so important.”
Livramento and Hall could be ones to turn to
With Hall able to operate at left-back, perhaps selecting him over a Dan Burn who has proven fairly unconvincing this season might be a way to give the team a new lease of life.
The idea of dropping Kieran Trippier for Livramento seems somewhat more remote but perhaps the former Southampton youngster could offer competition to Miguel Almiron and Jacob Murphy further up the field.
While these were signings made with one eye on the future, why not see what they can do in the immediate term?
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