Isaac Hayden must be wondering what he has to do to get in this Newcastle team.
The 24-year-old has started on the bench in the past three games, with Steve Bruce opting for Sean Longstaff and Nabil Bentaleb.
However, the pair are really struggling. In the latest defeat to Crystal Palace, it was clear how little quality we have in the centre of the park.
Bentaleb was particularly poor, wasteful in possession time and time again. As for Longstaff, he’s simply a shadow of the player he was 12 months ago.
The duo provided nothing. Defensively they offered no protection to the centre-backs, while offensively they were unable to provide a crucial pass.
All the while, Hayden remained on the bench. It was baffling that Bruce didn’t change things.
Hayden must be restored to the starting XI against Burnley, as the current pair are really struggling. Ideally, it should be Bentaleb who drops out.
The sooner we can get Jonjo Shelvey and Hayden playing together again the better.
Newcastle fans want Hayden back in the XI
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