Eight games into the new Premier League season, Newcastle United boast 12 points to their name and that tally puts them on-course to reach their objective of 40 points- which should be enough to secure their top-flight status.
Rafael Benitez’ tenure in charge on Tyneside has certainly led to an upturn in form for the Magpies, who won the Championship title last season and thus sealed an immediate return to the Premier League, and it could be only the start of something great.
The Spaniard seems comfortable in the North East and will be pleased to see Mike Ashley put the club up for sale, as it should mean that new owners coming in will provide more funds for the experienced manager to utilise, but his focus must be on getting the best from the squad he boasts.
Newcastle have adjusted their formation at times this season, most recently switching to a 4-4-2 for the weekend’s 2-2 draw with Southampton, but it’s clear that a 4-2-3-1, which has been utilised regularly by Benitez, is the best course of action.
In this formation, a defensive midfield partnership of Isaac Hayden and summer signing Mikel Merino can have a strong influence on the game; quelling the opposition attack, snatching up loose balls and providing the link from the defence to the front-men.
Having that pairing also allows full-backs DeAndre Yedlin and Javier Manquillo to be more adventurous moving forward, as their should always be that protection to cover them in defence, whilst it also allows the players ahead of them to have more attacking input.
Ayoze Perez, Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie have been the trio regularly selected as the attacking trident, with them all impressing, whilst Joselu has led the line- a position he has to settle into, having thus far failed to find consistency.
Crucially though, this formation makes it easy to chop and change amongst the squad when other players get game time. Aleksandar Mitrovic can lead the line, whilst Dwight Gayle can also slot into that position or play on the left instead of Atsu.
Jonjo Shelvey can fill in for Ayoze Perez, or adopt a more deeper role, and the likes of Chancel Mbemba, Jesus Gamez, Florian Lejuene, Mohamed Diame and Paul Dummett also have obvious positions where they can fit in.
There is though still room for improvement- a more consistent striker may be eyed in January, although that will cost a premium price, and Newcastle may equally look to provide a better defensive partner for captain Jamaal Lascelles.
Newcastle do have young options to consider, with young goalkeeper Freddie Woodman and highly-rated Yasin Ben El-Mhanni being ones to watch, and overall it gives Newcastle a very solid squad- and one that is perfectly set-up to play 4-2-3-1.
