Newcastle Toons
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A replay is the exact situation that Newcastle needed to avoid

By Carson A Merk

ROCHDALE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Aaron Wilbraham of Rochdale celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Rochdale AFC and Newcastle United at Spotland Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Rochdale, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
ROCHDALE, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Aaron Wilbraham of Rochdale celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Rochdale AFC and Newcastle United at Spotland Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Rochdale, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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With a lengthy injury list and a congested schedule, a replay in the FA Cup is the last thing that Newcastle United needs.

Earlier this week, I wrote that Newcastle United should not try to win today’s match vs. Rochdale. The logic was that this match would be a good one to rest the limited starters that are still healthy and avoid any injuries or adding an additional match to a busy schedule due to a win or draw. Some of our readers were critical of this and thought it was a “losing mentality”. Well, today’s match went exactly how Newcastle United couldn’t afford it to.

First, the Magpies played to a draw vs. the lower side with a majority of their starters playing and now will have to play a replay later this month. Also, Miguel Almiron looked like he might have picked up a slight groin injury. Hopefully, it was just some discomfort, but that’s the risk you take when you decided to play him. Lastly, this match looked like an opportunity for Joelinton, and Yoshinori Muto to an extent, to gain confidence in front of goal against a lesser side. Both players, especially the Brazilian, struggled and missed key chances in the draw.

I ask, was this worth it for those that wanted the Magpies to put out their best XI and push for a win? The club has to play another match vs. a League One side, Miggy may not be at 100% vs. Wolves and beyond, and the confidence for Joelinton and Muto certainly took another hit. Would a win over Rochdale really have given that much of a morale boost to the Newcastle players? That’s a little bit troubling in itself. But, no matter how you feel or how we got here, Newcastle United will need to face Rochdale later this month in an unwanted FA Cup replay.