Newcastle United: Three keys to defeat Wolves

NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 1: Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United (12) celebrates with teammates seen L-R Daryl Murphy, Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark, and Paul Dummett (R) after scoring the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers at St.James' Park on February 1, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 1: Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United (12) celebrates with teammates seen L-R Daryl Murphy, Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark, and Paul Dummett (R) after scoring the opening goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Newcastle United and Queens Park Rangers at St.James' Park on February 1, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

After their 1-0 win last week over Derby County, Newcastle United will travel to Wolverhampton tomorrow for a match with the Wolves.

Tomorrow, Newcastle United will take on the Wolverhampton Wanderers in a Sky Bet Championship match. Dwight Gayle isn’t likely to be back, but there is a slight possibility we see the striker’s return. NUFC will look to make it two straight league wins, after topping Derby County last week on a Matt Ritchie goal.

1. Be Clinical

Too many times over the past few matches, Newcastle United has not put shots home that absolutely need to find the net. It’s a very different issue when a club isn’t creating chances, i.e. Newcastle for the most part when Jonjo Shelvey was banned. Aleksandar Mitrovic has been the main culprit of this lately. He missed a sitter against Derby County, and had a very rough go of it against Oxford United. The Magpies need to be composed in close, and put the ball in. An additional goal could mean the world on the road.

2. Jonjo Must Stay Composed

Last time these clubs met in Championship play, the end result was a 2-0 defeat for Newcastle United. The bigger loss from that day ended up being Jonjo Shelvey for a five month ban towards the end of the year, found guilty of racial misconduct during that September 17th match. The supporters are not likely to make Shelvey’s shift easy tomorrow. He will be heckled immensely, and it will surely cross a line at some point. But, the English midfielder has to rise above it, and try to silence the crown with his play, not any antics. The best case scenario for NUFC would be that Shelvey has some extra motivation, and plays even better than his already elite normal level.

3. Control Costa

Newcastle United’s defense did a superb job on Derby star Tom Ince last weekend. They will need to do a similar number on Helder Costa tomorrow. He is the engine that drives the Wolves attack. He’s especially dangerous when he is able to use his pace to get to the end line, and cross the ball into the box. It will be important for the Newcastle United back line to always know where he is, and give him their full attention any time the ball is at his feet.