Newcastle United: The lineup that would deliver 3 points vs. Burnley

Newcastle United F.C. need to be ready for a competitive battle against Burnley this weekend.

Tomorrow’s game against Burnley will be critical for Newcastle United ahead of a difficult schedule against some of the Premier League’s top teams. Steve Bruce is currently in the hot seat with the Toon Army as a result of his defensive tactics.

Fans want to see a team that plays confident, attacking football, especially against mid-table and relegation-threatened clubs. That being said, Bruce needs to alter his formation and deploy his strongest possible lineup to take all three points against a team that is desperately searching for their first win.

Lineup Proposal

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Karl Darlow is not always at his best, but he kept Newcastle United in the game against Tottenham, and fans will be hoping he picks up where he left off in order to frustrate Chris Wood. The back line in front of him should be a no-brainer for Bruce.

The defense should be composed of Javier Manquillo, Federico Fernandez, Jamaal Lascelles, and Jamal Lewis. The duo in the middle of the park should consist of Jonjo Shelvey and Jeff Hendrick.

Some of you might argue that Shelvey’s inconsistency should not be rewarded with a start, but the mercurial midfielder is at his best in this formation, and his creativity will be crucial.

Having spent the last four seasons with Burnley, Hendrick’s knowledge of his former club’s tactics and style of play will certainly benefit the Magpies. The Ireland international also has more of an eye for goal than Isaac Hayden.

The trio behind the front line must include Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin to orchestrate the majority of the team’s attack out wide and up the middle.

The key question is who should join them in the final third? Well it could be Ryan Fraser, but Joelinton’s confidence has improved and he has been much more comfortable out wide.

On the front line, Callum Wilson is the first name on the team sheet. With two goals in three games to start the season, Wilson is off to a great start, despite Newcastle United’s collective struggles against Brighton and Tottenham.

Burnley’s defenders are known as some of the most aggressive in the top flight, but Wilson would have sufficient support to break them down with this proposed lineup.

Recap

Darlow; Manquillo, Fernandez, Lascelles, Lewis; Shelvey, Hendrick; Fraser, Almiron, Saint-Maximin; Wilson.