Some interesting clips have emerged from the club’s training ground over the last 24 hours, hinting at a few changes Steve Bruce could be set to make ahead of tomorrow’s big game at St James’ Park.
The footage from Thursday’s session shows Joelinton putting crosses into the box from the left-hand side (2:02), with Gayle and Almiron in the middle to finish (and Saint-Maximin crossing from the right-hand side).
This comes just moments before Steve Bruce’s pre-match press conference, which saw him suggest he’ll move away from a five-man defence for Saturday’s visit of Burnley.
See the clips below, which also shows Joelinton playing down the left in a training match 3:42 into the video:
If Bruce does in fact opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation tomorrow, it feels like we might be about to see Joelinton (left) and Saint-Maximin (right) out wide and Almiron in the no.10 role behind Dwight Gayle – who looks all set for his third start of the season.
I could well be wrong, but I’m not sure why Joelinton would be playing out wide in a training game and putting crosses in for Gayle, Muto and Almiron if he’s about to start up top again on Saturday?
It’s also worth noting he played out wide in our last meeting with Burnley at Turf Moor and very nearly bagged a brilliant assist in the process, looking slightly more comfortable in a withdrawn role (which makes a mockery of him being signed as a ‘striker’ but could help us beat Burnley this time around).
Time will tell!
Make sure you lot wear your gloves when out training no shaking hands But you can pass to each other (if you can remember what that is of course)
Now go out and play with that round thing
Davidp(Quote)
At last Bruce has recognised that Joelinton’s best position is on the left of an attacking three. If only our recruitment team had known this when they agreed to buy him to play as an out and out striker.
It makes you wonder what the hell is going on at this club when you can buy a square peg for £40 million and put it in a round hole!
mactoon(Quote)
What worries me is that it’s taken 2/3 of the season for the manager to grasp this issue and address it. Championship here we come.
TT(Quote)
Fucki ng doom merchant.
V(Quote)