SUPERMAC Wolves are at door and need to be muzzled
A HOME WIN FOR TOON WOULD BE JUST WANDER-FUL
UNITED simply have to defeat Wolves at St James’ Park.
Firstly to rid us all of the shocking memory of a three-goal slaughtering the last time out here - and secondly to improve a truly horrendous home record which shows six defeats in eight matches.
To do that, Newcastle must take a leaf out of the book of both Huddersfield and Brighton.
I watched those two sides beat Wolves recently and they did it by not allowing them to play.
They fielded three attackers and got in defenders’ faces whenever Wolves had the ball at the back.
Wolverhampton like to play from deep but both Huddersfield and Brighton put on a high press, leaving the goalkeeper with no one to throw the ball out to and start a quick attack.
Instead, he had to kick long and Wolves did not possess a Plan B.
It takes an awful lot of hard work to press high successfully for 90 minutes but that is one thing this Newcastle team can do. They are grafters.
It was great to see them claim a point at Everton in midweek after the shambles against West Ham.
They were unrecognisable – organised and disciplined as they seem to be on the road.
Some folk have not given United enough credit for holding Everton, suggesting the home side was on a downer after losing the Merseyside derby in the 96th minute to a bizarre goal.
Oh yeah? What about the Magpies being on a downer after losing 3-0 at home to the Hammers and destroying a feelgood factor built up over the previous four matches!
It suits United to sit in and attack on the counter but they MUST correct a shocking home record which has nothing to do with a huge crowd at SJP putting them under intense pressure.
The fans simply do not do that. It is not like Old Trafford at the moment.
Whatever 11 Rafa Benitez puts out tomorrow must go about the job with a conviction. No excuses, no hard-luck stories.
United have to close the gap on those immediately above them because they are getting detached.
It is five points to West Ham who gained a crucial three at our expense and six to Wolves, who must not be allowed to get even further ahead.
As things stand, United cannot catch up in a single match.
It is a shame for Fabian Schar he will be suspended because he
Salomon Rondon celebrates his goal with Jacob Murphy, Deandre Yedlin and Federico Fernandez against Everton on Wednesday night
has worked so hard since getting in the team. I have been greatly impressed even though Federico Fernandez alongside him has been earning the greater plaudits.
What we need now is for Salomon Rondon to go on a goalscoring run. His job is a thankless one up there on his own and he is not a regular finisher - but he is Newcastle’s main hope of a goal, as he proved at Goodison Park.
He needs the service to get the job done, he needs intelligent balls played first time into the box as Jacob Murphy did - then he can use his strength and muscle to get ahead of defenders.