OPINION
Desperate times call for desperate measures as they say – and in Newcastle United’s case, this is one of those times.
Left-back Paul Dummett has made the position painfully thin due to the fact that he got injured while playing for Wales in mid week, and Rafa Benitez is no doubt sweating about his potential replacements.
Why wouldn’t he? Javier Manquillo and Achraf Lazaar are nothing to shout about if you are being really honest.
Manquillo just about coped when he started against Manchester United last month, but before that, he was torn to shreds when the Magpies took on Cardiff City in the second game of the season.
That just about rules him out – and as for Lazaar, he would most definitely be a last resort for the Spaniard in this instance.
So how does Benitez solve a problem like this?
The answer lies in the shape of centre-back Ciaran Clark, who has been rarely seen this season due to the emergence of Fabian Schar and Federico Fernandez.
Shifting Clark over to the left would essentially solve all of Benitez’ problems in this area – seeming as the Republic of Ireland international is naturally left-footed, the role of a left-back should come easily to him.
He would be able to cope with the physical challenge that Burnley would pose in their next Premier League encounter, so it is a win-win situation for both Clark and Benitez.
After all, look what happened when Jurgen Klopp shifted Liverpool centre-back Joe Gomez into the full-back role – he excelled and coped with the role like he had been there all the time.
This is proof that moving a centre-back into this position would work – and it is a risk that Benitez must implement when they visit the Clarets next Monday.
