Football News
Three selection headaches facing...Chris Hughton
Newcastle United have made a promising start to life back in the Premier League under Chris Hughton and, from coming up with a squad that many predicted would struggle to avoid the drop, the Magpies suddenly look rife with options.
With the new season still in its infancy, Sport.co.uk takes a curious glance at Newcastle United’s squad and wonders to what extent Hughton knows what his best side is as he attempts to re-establish St James’ Park as a hotbed of top flight football.
What do you think, Newcastle United fans? Are there any changes to personnel that you’d like to see Hughton make? What do you expect from the Magpies this season? Have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the page…
Central midfield
While the central midfield three has comprised of Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith and Joey Barton over the last few weeks, the return from injury of Danny Guthrie – who has said himself that he is much happier playing in the middle – should see this axis broken up before long, most likely at Smith’s expense. New signings Cheik Tiote and Dan Gosling – the latter of whom is expected to return from his long-term injury around the end of the year – make Newcastle’s engine room look like a real area of strength. And what a key area it is in the battle for Premier League points.
Central defence
The transfer window has ‘slammed’ shut with the transfer-listed Steven Taylor still in situ and, if there is any chance of the situation being resolved, then he would alongside Fabricio Coloccini, Mike Williamson and Sol Campbell form a strong central defensive pool. The shirts belong at the moment to Coloccini and Williamson and it says something that Taylor and Campbell would be at least as strong a partnership.
The flanks
With Hatem Ben Arfa, Jonas Gutierrez, Wayne Routledge, Dan Gosling, Peter Lovenkrands and possibly Haris Vuckic (the latter on the basis that Hughton may decide to ease him in out wide) to call upon, the Magpies are well stocked with wide talent on either side. No wonder Andy Carroll is filling his boots.