Christian Atsu has looked like a different player from the one fans were often frustrated with during previous seasons at Newcastle, as he finally shows glimpses of his talent.
He has looked like a player transformed, and that can only be a good thing for Newcastle, particularly given the injury problems that have beset the club in the first few weeks.
With Miguel Almiron’s struggles likely to see him left out of the lineup at Leicester, Atsu is likely to retain his place, despite the impending return of Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Ghanaian has intimated that Newcastle will employ a “compact” formation on Sunday – which is hardly a shock to anyone – but he says sticking to the game-plan will make the Magpies “very dangerous”.
He told the official Newcastle United website: “We have to be compact, stay together and not leave ourselves wide open. If we are compact, I believe we’re going to be very dangerous.”
Atsu is right to have confidence ahead of the game, and I actually fancy Newcastle to get something from it.
Playing away from home has suited Newcastle recently, and it will again this weekend, with the pressure on the home side to break down a stout defensive lineup.
It also leaves the hosts open to the counter-attack, which will play to Newcastle’s strengths, particularly if Allan Saint-Maximin starts, giving us real impetus going forward.
EFL Cup defeat still gave room for optimism
Atsu also says the EFL Cup game between the two sides has given Newcastle confidence that they can win.
“For us, it was a positive result from the Carabao Cup,” he said. “It’s difficult because we lost on penalties, but I think we played a very good game against them.
“In the Premiership it’s going to be different, but we are going to work hard and try to win the game.”
Given the strong side Brendan Rodgers put out for Leicester, and the wholesale changes made by Newcastle in that game, that we matched the Foxes over 90 minutes, does suggest their is not as vast a gulf between the two sides as is widely perceived.
It may not be a thriller for the neutrals to watch, but with the right attitude, Newcastle could take points from Leicester this weekend.
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