Eddie Howe’s squad appears to be getting stronger and stronger as the weeks go on, and Sam Allardyce is well aware of Newcastle United’s depth.
Newcastle lacked options off the bench earlier in the season, but that has really changed over the past couple months. Key players have returned from injury, and Howe now has the ability to change games with his substitutions.
That is something he has done brilliantly as of late, with Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson dovetailing to great effect.
The Toon boss might need a gamechanger off the bench once again this weekend, with the Magpies travelling to Elland Road to face Leeds United. They will likely try to frustrate us and try hit us on the counter.
Allardyce is well aware of the threats Newcastle pose, and believes that Howe has two very talented players in reserve who could be the difference off the bench.
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Allardyce picks out two ‘talented’ Newcastle players for praise
The Leeds manager has spoke to the media ahead of Saturday’s game, and was asked about Newcastle’s attacking quality.
“They’ve got some talented players on the front front three and there’s more to come on with Almiron and Maximin as well as the three upfront they started with against Arsenal,” he said.
“There’s a big goal scorer in Wilson which we have to manage.
“But then at the other end, you can get in behind and you can get down the side of Newcastle if you can break through midfield.”
Almiron and Saint-Maximin pushing to start against Leeds
Newcastle have a lot of attacking options in reserve as of late. Miguel Almiron has found himself on the bench with Jacob Murphy taking his place in the side, while Allan Saint-Maximin has only just returned from injury.
They are two of Newcastle’s best attackers, and both will have aspirations of starting at Elland Road. There is a chance that at least one could, but it would be a shock if they both did. In fact, Almiron and ASM have not been in the same starting XI since back in August.
If they are both named as substitutes against Leeds, Howe will be confident that he has two gamechangers ready and waiting to make a difference when called upon. That is a real luxury, and one that Allardyce is well aware of.
The quality of Newcastle’s squad is going up, and it is only going to improve even more this summer. That is a worrying prospect for the rest of the Premier League.