OPINION
Newcastle United host Watford on Saturday with Rafa Benitez’s side still searching for their first win of the season.
The Spanish manager knows everyone of his players must be at their best and raise their performance from the side’s last outing where they had a dismal 0-0 draw with Southampton.
Yet there is two personnel changes that Benitez has to make from the side that started the clash with the Saints in order for him to field his best possible team.
None of these changes occur in the Magpies’ defence as considering that the Saints put a lot pressure on Benitez’s back-four and they stood firm, then there is no need to make a change.
This means Martin Dubravka should start between the sticks for the Magpies with Paul Dummett, Federico Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles and DeAndre Yedlin in front of him.
However when it comes to his midfield, Benitez must drop Mohamed Diame to the bench as he has been clumsy in possession and a constant liability this season.
In place of Diame, the Spanish manager must unleashed Sung-yong Ki as the 29-year-old who has been barely used this season showed signs of life when making a cameo appearances against the Saints.
Ki is a proven Premier League performer and after only making three appearances in the division while wearing a Magpies shirt, he needs to make his fourth against the Hornets on Saturday.
This is the only personnel change Benitez needs to make in his midfield as given his other options, Kenedy, Jonjo Shelvey and Matt Ritchie must keep their places in the team.
The Magpies boss’ second and final change sees Ayoze Perez dropped to the bench, as he has struggled this season, so that Salomon Rondon can start.
Rondon will lead the line, taking the place of Yoshinori Muto, with the Japanese taking up Perez’s No.10 role in the starting line-up with the Spaniard axed.
With these two changes, this Magpies team is the best possible one Benitez can field and should be able to secure victory against Watford if everyone is on song.
