Newcastle United starting XI prediction and team news vs Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade (left) and Lewis Miley
Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade and Lewis Miley(Image: SmartFrame/News Images)
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Eddie Howe is desperately searching for the formula that will get Newcastle United out of a slump that could prove terminal for the club's season. Heading into their clash with Tottenham Hotspur tonight, he again has a number of selection dilemmas.
In truth, barely any player is putting their hands up and making themselves an automatic pick. You could argue a case for and against just about every player bar captain Bruno Guimaraes, left-back Lewis Hall and goalkeeper Nick Pope.
What formation to go with? Who leads the attack? Will the likes of Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon return from injury. There's more questions than answers at the minute.
Our writers give their verdict on the selection headache and pick their own starting XIs.
Lee Ryder
I'd go back to a five-man defensive rearguard with Dan Burn coming back into the fold after only being used as a late sub against Brentford.
The 5-4-1 formation worked so well when Newcastle were out of possession during the 1-1 draw with PSG. And it means they can use Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga to hurt Spurs on the counter.
If Lewis Miley is passed fit and I'd play him at right wing-back and stick with Yoane Wissa in attack. Wissa looked frustrated when he came off against Brentford and banged the back of his own head against the dugout in anger.
I think he will be fired up to score against his old manager Thomas Frank. Anthony Gordon will be a good impact sub if he is deemed fit enough to be involved.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Barnes, Elanga, Wissa
Ross Gregory
Kieran Trippier showed real class and leadership after the Brentford game. He spoke passionately and with a force of personality about how the senior players must step up and guide the Newcastle dressing room through what is a tough spell.
Admirable words and sentiment but if Lewis Miley is fit, Trippier simply can't start against Spurs. Yes, Newcastle need experience and leadership. Yes, Trippier is one of the greats of this modern-day Newcastle. Unfortunately, he is out of form and after three games in a week, his legs need a rest.
If Miley passes a fitness test then I'd back him to start at wing-back in a five-man defence - Dan Burn recalled - that can hopefully shore up the leaks that are blighting United. Further forward, you can really take your pick of the options but I'd go with the front three that did so well against PSG with a reprieve for Joe Willock, hooked at half-time on Saturday, so he can play the hybrid midfield/forward role.
Anthony Elanga simply must start. It's harsh on Harvey Barnes, perhaps, but his impact from the bench in the closing stages will be vital - along with Anthony Gordon if fit - as they pivot around Nick Woltemade.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock, Elanga, Woltemade
Stuart Jamieson
If Lewis Miley is fit then he has to come back into the side to reprise the right-back role in which he performed so well last month. It wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Dan Burn back in the team, the only question being whether that is part of a back five or in place of Sven Botman.
Newcastle need to test the Spurs backline, especially without Cristian Romero, so I'm sticking with a back four and Burn tasked with keeping Dominic Solanke quiet, and a midfield three of Sandro Tonalil, Bruno Guimaraes and a recalled Jacob Ramsey. Anthony Elanga gets the nod on the right, with Harvey Barnes and Nick Woltemade completing the front three.
Yoane Wissa is not doing enough to justify a starting place, but Woltemade has to learn how to shoot when he creates space for himself.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Ramsey, Elanga, Barnes, Woltemade.
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