OPINION
Newcastle United really need to get their first win on the board and that is an achievable task when they face Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Magpies are yet to win a game this season after being dealt a rough hand by the fixture list but have a squad capable of producing a team that could beat Roy Hodgson’s side.
The only issue is Rafa Benitez’s men are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal where they completely collapsed following going a goal behind as in the first half of the game, they arguably looked likely to achieve their first three points of the campaign.
After witnessing several players slump to a poor performance, the Spanish manager needs to make five changes to the side that started against the Gunners last weekend in order to ensure victory.
Salomon Rondon must take the place of Joselu in the starting line-up against Palace in Benitez’s first change as the Venezuelan looks more of a goal threat and it seems his teammate’s recent goal flurry has already dried up.
Ayoze Perez should also lose his place in the Magpies’ first team in the second change Benitez must make and be axed as he was simply woeful against the Gunners.
The attacker, who earns £45,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), wasted any possession he had of the ball and with summer recruit Yoshinori Muto likely to be chomping at the bit to have his first start in Premier League then it should be a simple switch for Benitez to make.
Issac Hayden and Mohamed Diame must both lose their place in the centre of midfield after both crumbled in the second half against the Gunners, with perhaps Hayden not even having a good first 45 minutes either.
The midfield duo should be replaced by Jonjo Shelvey, who was just fit enough for the bench last week, and Ki Sung-Yeung as they had a magical partnership when at Swansea City together.
The pair could provide some much needed creative inspiration if unleashed and that’s what needed to unlock Palace’s defence.
The fifth and final change Benitez needs to make to ensure the Magpies beat Palace, is he needs to swap Jacob Murphy for Kenedy.
While the young English winger has shown glimpses of his talent, the Magpies boss must gamble on the on-loan Chelsea star rediscovering last season’s form.
The Magpies’ defence that started the last game should remain in tact as even thought the club are sweating over Jamaal Lascelles’ fitness (Source: Daily Star) if there’s any chance he can play, he simply must.
