OPINION
Newcastle United slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham last Saturday and they will no doubt want to avenge that result when they take on Everton this weekend.
Declan Rice and Mark Noble put the Magpies to the sword in what was an underwhelming display from the players, and boss Rafa Benitez will no doubt have to make some changes to the side in order to have the best possible chance of beating the Toffees this Saturday.
The Spaniard must make three changes to the side that lost last week, with Sean Longstaff most likely absent after coming off at half-time in the loss.
In goal, Martin Dubravka must start as normal.
The defence were not at their best on Saturday, and this is where the first change must be made. Florian Lejeune, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles were simply not at the races that evening, and nor was Javier Manquillo. The right-back did battle his way through the match, but it simply was not enough to keep his spot in the starting XI – in his place should come DeAndre Yedlin, who would provide more of a threat with his pace.
Midfielder Longstaff has been the heartbeat of the team for a few months now, but that may all be put to an end after he came off worse after a challenge with Robert Snodgrass. He is most likely going to be ruled out of this match after journalist Lee Ryder revealed that he could be out for the rest of the season, so in his place should come Mo Diame.
Isaac Hayden was one of the better players on Saturday so he must retain his place in the team, and although Miguel Almiron was not at his best, there is no doubt that he should be started.
Ayoze Perez, however – who is on £45,000-a-week [Spotrac] was woeful on Saturday, as he sent his only chance of the match fizzing wide. In his place should come Yoshinori Muto, who has not seen much game time this season.
Salomon Rondon should keep his place up front as always, as he was one of the more unlucky players of the evening.
If Benitez makes the right calls regarding his starting XI, then there is no doubt that they will crush Everton on Saturday.
