Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BRUCE CHANGES HIS TOON
Newcastle boss will juggle his line-up to find those elusive goals – by dropping a scorer!
STEVE BRUCE is ready to tear up the team which ended Newcastle’s six-hour goal drought when they face Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium today.
For only the second time this season, the Magpies scored more than twice as they clinched a place in the FA Cup quarter finals with a 3-2 win at West Brom on Tuesday.
But Valentino Lazaro, who scored his first goal in English football in midweek and Joelinton, who enjoyed one of his better games, are among those who could be left out.
Bruce admits he’s still searching for the blueprint which will earn
Newcastle the handful of points they require for
Premier League survival.
Jonjo Shelvey and Matt
Ritchie, who have signed new deals at St James’ Park, are set for recalls along with Isaac Hayden.
And the Toon chief must decide between Dwight Gayle, who he recalled against Burnley seven days ago, and Joelinton (above), stuck on one league goal since last August.
“Having a selection dilemma is the hard part,” said Bruce.
“But I’d rather have that than what we had a few weeks ago.”
Admitting he’s still looking for the formula which guarantees goals, he added: “Well, I certainly think we’re better with Almiron in his favoured position – a free role just off the front.
“He’s arguably our best player but the difficulty is fitting the thing around him. You have an idea in your head what your best team is but sometimes that doesn’t work.”
Gayle hasn’t scored for Newcastle since May 2018 but looked threatening in the goalless draw at home to Burnley so it would be no surprise if he’s handed another chance.
“Dwight played very, very well last week,” said Bruce, who rested him for the cup-tie.
“Having not played for weeks and months, I thought asking him to play two games in quick succession was too much but he’s certainly in contention.”
Hundreds of Newcastle fans have had to make alternative arrangements following the collapse of Flybe Airlines, with most now having to leave Tyneside at around 6am to make the kick-off. “I’ve said it many times, we’ve got quite unique support,” said Bruce. “There were 5,000 of them at West Brom and God knows what time they got home and half of them will be back on the road again.
“They’ve paid fortunes and had flights cancelled. Giving them a win would be nice.”
Meanwhile, Bruce insists the club is doing everything it can to hang on to teenager Matty Longstaff who is out of contract and interesting several clubs on the Continent.
“Yes, absolutely, completely,” he replied when asked if Newcastle are trying hard enough to keep him.
“I hope he thinks of his career pathway rather than anything else at the moment. That’s what he should be focused on.
“I’m sure there are people in his ear and distractions. But at the end of the day, if you have a successful career, the money will find you.
“Of course, it’s a concern but I just hope he finds a conclusion with the club. We all want him to stay.”