Newcastle United: Is it time for defensive rotation?

Though Newcastle United managed to secure a gigantic three points, and much needed momentum on Tuesday evening in the Sky Bet Championship with a last gasp victory of promotion rivals Brighton, yet more defensive concerns were raised.

The Magpies are on undoubtedly their toughest run of fixtures this season, on paper. They can ill afford to slip-up, especially with Saturday’s televised fixture away versus Huddersfield Town providing Rafa’s men with the chance to pull further clear of the playoff places.

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There have been increasing signs of defensive instability, and unrest in recent fixtures. A mixture of individual errors and a lack of communication have given the manager, as well as the fans, cause for concern that the team is at risk of throwing away a possible trophy-winning campaign.

Since being reinstated as the club’s undisputed number one goalkeeper, Karl Darlow has been responsible for several major individual errors in recent weeks, perhaps more so even than the man he replaced, Matz Sels. ‘Howlers’ at Norwich and at home to Bristol City, as well as a distinct lack of communication with Ciaran Clark as he nodded beyond his own goalkeeper are prominent examples of a lack of confidence. Failing to claim crosses and dominate his area are also factors that have crept into the former Nott’m Forest man’s game in recent times.

With the club’s Player of the Season from last year, Rob Elliot, now fully fit and ready to fight for the spot, having replaced Sels on the bench in recent weeks, there would be little discontent among fans should the manager see fit to rotate goalkeepers, ahead of such an important stage in the league season.

Moving on from goalkeepers, I am also of the belief that the team’s usual back four consisting of the aforementioned Clark, captain Jamaal Lascelles, DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett has also faltered slightly recently.

This could be attributed to fatigue, as they have featured regularly as a unit for several months now and throughout an extremely busy festive period. Or a lack of faith in their goalkeeper behind them may have spread nervousness, or in fact a touch of complacency may have crept into their performances, due to Newcastle’s lofty league placing.

Players such as Grant Hanley, Chancel Mbemba, Jesus Gamez and Achraf Lazaar have all seen very little action on the field this season. In the second division of English football, all seem like top quality options that would more or less get into any other defense in the league. All possess international experience at some level, and should be pushing their defensive counterparts in training and in the dressing room.

Though it is extremely difficult to grumble with the situation the club finds itself in at this present moment, I am willing to simply pose the question; is it time to rotate the defense in order to prevent what is seemingly a formality, and Newcastle United returning to the Premier League, from becoming, what could be, an utter catastrophe?