Eddie Howe won't hesitate in making some serious changes in the next few games as stars return to fitness
Newcastle United's England internationals - Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento [L to R]
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento [L to R]
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The picture could look very different for Newcastle United when play resumes in the Premier League later this month.
After losing 3-1 to Brentford on Sunday, Eddie Howe refused to press the panic button, as his stars were afforded some relaxation time before the hard work begins again in the next few days. With Manchester City due on Tyneside, Howe's team sheet could look different for the next home game, with Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall edging closer to fitness.
Yoane Wissa will also be eased back into things in time for December, meaning the team sheet could be altered significantly. The feeling behind the scenes is United will only get stronger as the season progresses and when other teams are having a blip, Newcastle will be ready to attack it.
Even a rejig involving Howe's two flying full-backs gives the Newcastle XI a totally different dynamic and fans know it. Howe won't hessitate to change anything that isn't working - just ask a clutch of stars like Anthony Gordon, Nick Woltemade, Jacob Murphy and Sven Botman that question after all were hooked in Premier League matches in recent weeks when not hitting the right notes.
Howe doesn't need a reminder that Newcastle need an away win or two, but by the same token there is an air of calmness behind the scenes. For all the noise after Brentford, Howe's record as Toon boss stands up to them all on Tyneside, with only Kevin Keegan having a better win ratio.
A glance at the Premier League table is also telling with Newcastle sitting in ninth place despite some injury problems and the exit of Alexander Isak to Liverpool. The Magpies have 14 Premier League victories, four draws, and 12 defeats from 30 games across 2025 in the Premier League.
True, the current top-flight table is the most important measuring stick for fans, but even then, there are just six points separating 14th, where Newcastle sit now, and fifth spot. A noisy cauldron at St James' awaits Guardiola's side but Howe could take a step closer to fielding his strongest line-up for some time.
If Livramento is declared fit he could start at right-back while Hall's cameo at Brentford was one of the minimal highlights of the day. Having the pace and width of the duo could be the key against City, while the service to Nick Woltemade could also be set for an improvement.
The key for Newcastle is ensuring they make steady improvements and it will be all about the manner of the performance against City. Newcastle could still check out of November in the last 16 of the Champions League if they get a positive result in Marseille, while staying in touch with the top 10 is also possible.
Howe knows his team can't afford their heads to drop with a hectic December on the horizon and two key games in sight. Fans don't need to be reminded that beating Sunderland next month, as tough as that may sound at the moment, and booking another place in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup by seeing off struggling Fulham, would put a different complexion on a year that should be celebrated in truth.
The trophy cabinet was added to for the first time since 1969, while Champions League football is again on the menu. Newcastle are right to take stock over the international break rather than panic.
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