Steve Bruce has all but confirmed that Mark Gillespie, Jacob Murphy and Sean Longstaff will start in tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Newport.
The NUFC boss has also been full of praise for all three, hinting Murphy and Longstaff will start again after taking their chance in the 0-7 win over Morecambe last week, but it’s Gillespie who he’s given some special attention.
Bruce believes his impressive displays and back-to-back clean sheets in our last two cup games have gone “under the radar”, also revealing how he has “trained well every day” since his low-key arrival on a free transfer over the summer.
Here’s what he had to say about the former Motherwell stopper:
“He’s gone under the radar.
“It was a big game for him two weeks ago, when he made his debut.
“He trains well every day, and fair play to him – I’m delighted for him.
“Another clean sheet for him would be terrific, and a great start for him.”
Bruce also said this to BBC Newcastle when asked who’d be coming into his team for tonight’s last 16 clash in the Carabao Cup:
“I will use the squad – but that’s what the squad is for.
“For example, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Murphy grasped the chance.
“Neither were involved against Brighton – but played and did really well at Morecambe, and Jacob forced his way onto the pitch at Spurs.”
Gillespie has been solid as a rock in his first two appearances, Longstaff was much improved at Morecambe and Murphy ran the show last time out, so we’ll have to hope all three are ‘at it’ again here – especially when Newport aren’t likely to roll over after beating Watford in the last round.
With all three looking set to start and the likes of Clark, Dummett, Ritchie and Matty Longstaff ruled out, it’ll be interesting to see just how strong our starting 11 will be tonight.
For me, we could line up something a little like this:
4-4-1-1: Gillespie – Krafth, Lascelles, Fernandez, Lewis – Hendrick, S Longstaff – Murphy, Almiron, Joelinton – Carroll.
What do you reckon folks?
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What do I reckon? I reckon who gives a f*ck when we’ll just get a tonking off the first decent side we meet in the cup the way cabbage head has us playing.
Kevin(Quote)