With their list of injuries growing and a three-match losing streak, Newcastle United’s focus should not be on winning vs. Rochdale.
I know it’s often looked at as obscene to suggest that a team should do anything except fully try to win a game. But, I am here to tell you that winning should not be the top priority for Newcastle United in their match vs. Rochdale on the weekend.
The Magpies have lost three straight matches in the Premier League and their cushion above the relegation zone continues to shrink by the week. Also, the group of injured players is starting to become ridiculous. There are rumblings that Matt Ritchie could be back, but even if that’s true, NUFC had four players leave yesterday’s match and DeAndre Yedlin broke his hand vs. Leicester City. That doesn’t even factor in the absences of key players like Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles.
For the match at Rochdale, Steve Bruce should play as few normal starters as possible, except Joelinton as we mentioned in our piece on him earlier today. He should give as many young players and out of rotation options a start vs. the League One side. The top priority needs to be getting out of the match with no further injuries, not advancing in the FA Cup. A win vs. Rochdale will simply add another fixture to Newcastle’s slate and they need to focus entirely on the Premier League.
Yes, I would love a deep run by the Magpies in the FA Cup. But, based on where the club is at currently and the injuries, it’s not realistic that they can risk any league results just to advance in the tournament.