Newcastle United have to shake off the disappointment of Sunday quickly as they are back in action on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham at St James’ Park. Kick-off is at 8:15 pm, and it’s live on ITV and Sky Sports.
This has been a difficult team to put together. On one hand, nobody who played on Sunday deserves to be anywhere near the starting lineup, but at the same time, each and every one of them has a point to prove.
We expect Howe will make a couple of tweaks, but he will ultimately give the bulk of the team the opportunity to correct their mistakes from the weekend.
A place in their third Carabao Cup semi-final in four years under Eddie Howe is at stake, as is the defence of our League Cup crown. We can’t afford to slip up again.
Goalkeeper
Aaron Ramsdale – Still waiting for him to keep a clean sheet since filling in for Nick Pope. It has to come, surely.
Defenders
Tino Livramento – The back four picks itself, really, as there are only four players available.
Malick Thiaw – He would have been selected anyway.
Fabian Schar – Fabi will come in for the injured Dan Burn after the Blyth giant punctured a lung on Sunday.
Lewis Hall – Still one of the brightest spots at the weekend, although it was nowhere near a good performance.
Midfielders
Bruno Guimaraes – Following his words on Sunday and his deep apologies, he owes us a performance.
Sandro Tonali – We’re not sure what’s happened to him lately, but he’s been well off the pace. Another one who has to perform.
Lewis Miley – One of the few who seemed to genuinely try on Sunday.
Forwards
Jacob Murphy – Wednesday could be about redemption for a lot of players, but Anthony Elanga shouldn’t even get that chance.
Yoane Wissa – It felt like he was being saved for this game on Sunday, as he should have been on the pitch much earlier than he was.
Anthony Gordon – Yet another one who needs to put a shift in.
Wednesday night is about some players proving themselves to fans. In fact, it’s about all of our players proving themselves. They all owe us something special.