According to North East reporter Ian Murtagh, Steve Bruce could drop both Miguel Almiron and Jonjo Shelvey ahead of Sunday’s trip to Leicester City.
His new piece for the Daily Star also claims that Federico Fernandez could be brought back into the defence, with Bruce also tempted to play Fabian Schar in a holding midfield role.
Murtagh expects one of Sean Longstaff or Ki Sung-yeung to come in for Shelvey, with Saint-Maximin also tipped to replace a misfiring Miguel Almiron if he’s deemed fit to start on Sunday.
Either way, it looks like Bruce is preparing to make a few changes this weekend after that dismal display against Brighton last time out.
He’s been poor and looks so low on confidence, but I don’t think dropping Almiron is the answer. Maybe Bruce should find a way to fit him into his side and consider moving him back to the left wing – the side he looked suited to following his move from America earlier in the year.
One thing that doesn’t quite add up, however, is the idea of Bruce playing Schar in a midfield role alongside Hayden and one of Ki or Longstaff. Fernandez does deserve a chance to play, with him being our stand out performer in that Carabao Cup clash with Leicester last month, but how would Schar fit in if Longstaff and Hayden are expected to also play?
Could we move to a 4-3-3 and play Dummett at left-back and Fernandez alongside Lascelles? Or could Schar’s potential move into midfield signal a return to 5-3-2 – a system that Bruce went with over the first few weeks o the season.
Regardless of who plays and the formation used, we’re going to have to be MUCH better than we were against Brighton to come away with a result here.
If Bruce drops Almiron he is a complete moron! He’s not the problem. The problem is the terrible tactics. No one knows what they’re doing out there. Completely unorganized. We need some ball control and possession. If we get that Almiron won’t be running around full speed all the time, and Joelenton won’t be stuck with no help while holding up play. These kids have real talent and a drop is ridicules!!!
xEB50x(Quote)
Been saying for a while now that we should play Schar in a holding midfield role he has vision to prevent attacks and can carry the ball and play in that position which I am led to believe has been used for his national team in the same position
What have we got to loose let him play along side Longstaff and Hayden
Davidp(Quote)
Makes complete sense, Miggy needs a break and Shelve has hit his usual no imminent transfer stale routine.
Michael Dawson(Quote)