Partnership could be the making of Magpies

ALMIRON AND RONDON LINK-UP VERY EXCITING

THERE are two Newcastle partnerships probably about to be unveiled which I am really looking forward to seeing.

I refer to Salomon Rondon and Miguel Almiron up top and Sean Longstaff and Mo Diame in midfield.

Rondon has carried the physical and mental burden of being United’s main goalscorer all season – some would argue their only real goal threat.

Well, help would appear to be on the way.

While I can accept the natural ability of Ayoze Perez I don’t think he has gelled well with Rondon as a partnership and therefore I look forward to seeing Almiron play No.10.

By all accounts he is lightning quick, has a great left foot, works like a beaver up and back and can finish.

Rondon needs someone like that who gets up quickly in support, can provide assists but can also score Sean Longstaff

GREYHOUNDS

himself to spread the load. Often Rondon has been left with no support fighting off two central defenders.

I will be intrigued to see Almiron at Wolves on Monday night should he start or get on as a substitute and then watch him on his home debut against Huddersfield after a long bonding session with his new teammates in warm-weather training.

As for Longstaff , I have been really impressed. He is a kid yet has played with maturity, unflustered and simple. With no experience Mo Diame at his shoulder. Again his support in the centre of midfield has been missing.

Isaac Hayden is not the long-term answer and not just because he wants away. Hayden does not impose himself on games and therefore I would like to see Diame back from injury alongside Longstaff to break things up and physically take some weight off the youngster.

Diame was an ever-present before his injury for a reason.

Rafa Benitez knew his worth just as he knows Almiron’s value. Both work extremely hard when United do not have the ball, never mind when they have it.

United’s other arrival after Almiron, Antonio Barreca, will also have a significant impact on United because he will release Matt Ritchie to go back and play his normal game on the wing.

Ritchie is a tireless worker who will do any job asked of him and I admire him greatly for that - but he is not a natural defender stopping players running off the back of him. Ritchie’s release is bad news for Kenedy who will drop even further down the pecking order - but the Brazilian has had an awful season and cannot complain. Wolves are a wonderful side who play a terrific passing game. They remind me a lot of Spurs when they have Harry Kane and Dele Alli. United did well at Tottenham and there is no reason why they cannot get something at Molineux with the right application. But for Martin Dubravka’s howler they would have secured a point at Wembley, which on top of home victories over Cardiff and Manchester City would have cemented a great run of form.

They must take all the positives from Tottenham and transfer them to Molineux. Malcolm Macdonald

Often Rondon has been left with no support fighting off two central defenders