Eddie Howe has plenty of options open to him for Saturday's Premier League game
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Now the roster is completed. Depleted and completed by those who come to help. We do not mourn anyone who left of their own insistence but welcome the men excited to be part of a Geordie dream. First things first, as Eddie would say, and that means on the resumption of a fledgling new season Newcastle getting our first three points against a Wolves side which has lost all three of their opening games. Opportunity knocks!
United must answer positively. Two points out of nine is not good but ought to get significantly better now the cavalry's in place. W stands for win and wisdom, for wily operators and wonderful deeds. Let Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade provide them. This is a direct shoot-out between those who did arrive on the Tyne against one who didn't despite a lot of noise. Wissa and Woltemade vs Jorgen Strand Larsen.
United must block off the threat of Larsen who we wanted and who wanted us. Nice man with admirable dignity but business is business. He must go the way of his team-mates. We obviously rate him but we must contain him. Over to you Fabian Schar and Dan Burn.
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Team selection will be fascinating and will depend to a large extent on what Howe has gleaned in training regarding physical readiness and tactical necessity. A lot of players, especially the newcomers, are at different stages of sharpness while others will have returned from international duty with further possible complications.
There's Wissa and Woltemade, newcomers and back from internationals; Joelinton recovering from a knock; Jacob Ramsey too; Lewis Hall pushing towards full fitness after a long lay off; Anthony Gordon still sidelined through suspension while anxious to resume wing duties. He'll do that in the glamour Champions League tie with Barcelona next week.
My team if all are fit would see United reverting to a flat back four and heavyweight wingers: Pope; Tippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Wissa, Barnes with Woltemade to come on for Wissa who I suspect cannot yet make 90 minutes.
Our new W formation have undergone a contrasting international experience since signing for the Mags.
While Woltemade found it tough in Germany's two World Cup qualifiers, though claiming an assist against Northern Ireland Wissa, without any match participation until now, struck gold with two goals in two Congo internationals against South Sudan and Senegal. Vital preparation for Wolves.
If United play with the verve and intensity they have displayed in three winless PL matches then with the extra power up top they ought to gain their breakthrough. Nothing is a given of course. It must be earned.
The way Wolves ended the transfer window has not gone down too well with their fans many of whom are worried that the new signings are all gambles. Plus in some old gold eyes the club didn't address their biggest problem in midfield.
Three o'clock on a Saturday is a throwback to the days before live telly ruled supreme as dictators. It must also be a throwback to when SJP was an impenetrable fortress.
It must be and I believe will be. I cannot see any other result than a Newcastle victory, desperately required to boost their PL position and as a morale lifter before the royalty of Barca arrives in town next Thursday. Anything else is unthinkable.
I cannot finish my column without paying fulsome tribute to an old pal and former NUFC player Ray Hudson was has shocked everyone by suddenly retiring as a legendary football commentator in the United States at the age of 70.
Ray was nicknamed Rocky and his story is as flamboyant and colourful as the original Rocky dreamed up by Sylvester Stallone. He was an Entertainer long before Kevin Keegan assembled his crew in the nineties.
A ball playing midfielder with a shock of blond hair and all the tricks of a magician, Hudson made 25 appearances for the Magpies between 1974 and 1977 scoring twice, both goals coming in separate games against Derby County. He left to take his exhibition skills over to America during the great exodus and after a stellar playing career and a short stab at management he became a commentator. Born in Gateshead, the Yanks loved his rich Geordie accent and quirky phrasing. He was football's Sid Waddell, the Geordie darts legend.
Now Rocky is leaving broadcasters CBS Sports and SiriusXM FC Radio, the news bringing a huge outpouring of love from American fans far and wide. He says he is retiring "for personal reasons" and I can only hope all is well with him and his loved ones.
I saw him whenever he came back home because he is the sort of guy who is terrific company. Thanks for the memories my man!