Eddie Howe has a few big decisions to make for tonight's game against Everton
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United
Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon(Image: Getty Images)
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Changes could be on the cards tonight as Newcastle United make their first appearances at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium looking for the answer to their away day blues.
Three consecutive defeats on the road after taking the lead has become a source of concern for head coach Eddie Howe, and he may make some tweaks to his starting line-up tonight.
The big question is over who starts in goal, with Nick Pope's place under pressure from Aaron Ramsdale after some high profile mistakes. Joe Willock came into the side and performed well at Marseille, while Harvey Barnes is a man in form when it comes to goalscoring.
Nick Woltemade is expected to return to the side, but at the back, Malick Thiaw, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn are all competing for places. With that in mind, here are starting XIs are team of Newcastle United writers would turn to this evening.
Lee Ryder
Eddie Howe is renowned for making strong calls and his goalkeeping selection will be under the microscope at Everton. In a week in which Manuel Neuer made a similar mistake to Pope, Howe has the old argument of class being permanent and form being temporary.
Although, Pope's form has included a string of errors in recent weeks including high profile mistakes at Brentford and West Ham. For all that I have a feeling Howe will stick with Pope and bring Ramsdale in when he sees fit.
Howe has been loyal to senior players during his time at Newcastle and has never made knee-jerk reactions. Just last week Pope had a good game and made fine saves to help beat Man City.
Elsewhere there may be rejigs with Anthony Gordon's presence in the starting XI up for debate against his old club. Can Harvey Barnes be benched when he's on such a good run?
Some critical decisions are ahead for Howe and his backroom team. I'd stick with Pope but tell him we want to see the best version of him.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton, Barnes, Murphy, Woltemade
Sean McCormick
This is one of the toughest starting XIs Eddie Howe has had to pick and I think he has some big decisions to make ahead of the trip to Everton.
I have been a big defender Nick Pope for a long time. For what he lacks with his feet, he makes up with for being outstanding at the fundamentals of goalkeeping - shot-stopping, commanding his area and being positive when coming off his line.
But when you stop doing those things, those deficiencies become harder to ignore and the fact he has made three errors in three consecutive away games has made it a conversation over whether he should lose his place.
Once that uncertainty creeps into the goalkeeping department, it can be really damaging for the team's mentality and, for me, the time is right to see if Aaron Ramsdale is up to the task.
It is not a decision Howe will take lightly and once he makes the call, he will stick with his goalkeeper in the search for consistency behind his backline.
It is time to give Dan Burn a game back at his natural position of centre-half and he offers a natural balance on the left-hand side alongside Malick Thiaw.
Harvey Barnes' form makes him the first name on the teamsheet at the moment and I think he has to start in his favoured left-wing role.
The question for Howe is whether he sticks with the natural right-winger in Jacob Murphy or moves Anthony Gordon to the right-hand side.
Everton away is an emotional fixture for him, given his history with the Toffees, and I think it may be best served for everyone in the circumstances to rest Gordon from the start on Saturday.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale; Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Barnes; Woltemade
Stuart Jamieson
I said a few weeks back, when discussing Pope vs Ramsdale, that while I was sticking the United No 1, that may change if he made more mistakes. Well, here we are . . . Just as when Howe brought Fabian Schar in for an under-peforming Sven Botman, the time has come for Aaron Ramsdale to step into the side for Pope.
It's tough, but that's the reality of playing at the level Newcastle United want to be at.
I'm also make some changes to the formation this weekend. Let's stick with a back five but use Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall as real attacking wing-backs. Then play the in-form Harvey Barnes off Nick Woltemade in a more central role.
It's tough on Jacob Murphy, but United's wingers are not performing when it comes to goal assists, so let's change things around, offer width from the wing-backs and give Woltemade someone to feed off.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Barnes, Woltemade
Ross Gregory
I’m trying to read between the lines of what Eddie Howe had to say about his goalkeeper situation but it sounds to me like he will leave Nick Pope out at Everton. If he does, that’s the right call. Aaron Ramsdale deserves a start.
Elsewhere, there’s some really big calls to make. The temptation is to go with the same outfield players that beat Man City, which would be slightly harsh on Joe Willock who had his best game of the season in Marseille. However, Joelinton is fresh and was a powerhouse against City so has to start.
My only outfield change would be Anthony Gordon on the right wing. Does he deserve to start? Probably not. And he hasn’t generally fared well against his old club since moving to Newcastle from Everton. Call it a hunch, though.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Hall; Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton; Gordon, Woltemade, Barnes
Andrew Musgrove
I'd ringing the changed for this XI - although, I'm not sure Eddie Howe will. Lewis Hall has to come back in at left-back with Dan Burn dropping to the bench.
I'd rest Bruno and save his legs for Tuesday vs Spurs, and bring in Lewis Miley and Joe Willick to line-up against Sandro Tonali. Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes keep their spots with Nick Woltemade returning to the starting eleven.
Then what about the goalie? I would bring in Aaron Ramsdale but I'm fairly confident Eddie Howe will stick with Nick Pope - and give his form of late, I fear that may backfire.
My NUFC XI: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Schar, Hall, Murphy, Tonali, Miley, Willock, Barnes, Woltemade