Things could go from bad to worse for Newcastle United in terms of their long-term tactical approach if they lose on Sunday.
Newcastle United will look to bounce back from the beating they took against Manchester United last weekend with a positive result against Wolverhampton.
Historically, games between the Magpies and Wolves have been close, competitive encounters, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have momentum on their side.
Wolverhampton are known for their attacking style of play, and fans have been begging Steve Bruce to get in that lane with his team. With Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron, Ryan Fraser, and Callum Wilson at Bruce’s disposal, the team’s potential to reach new heights this season is completely wasted with defensive tactics.
That being said, the Toon Army have been asking for attacking football since the start of the season, and something tells me that Bruce might just cave into that pressure this weekend and give the idea a chance.
It has been two months and we still have not seen the Magpies’ best lineup on the pitch, but hopefully that changes on Sunday.
What worries me, and probably many of you as well, is thinking of what will happen if Newcastle United play attacking football with their best possible lineup and lose?
The simple answer is to look ahead to the next game, but knowing Bruce it would not be that straightforward.
Bruce keeps saying that it “takes time” to transition from defensive, counter-attacking football, but other teams around the league are proving him wrong.
If Bruce selects his best team on Sunday, gives them the freedom to attack, but lose to Wolves, we can all expect an “I told you so” post-game press conference.
Which, in turn, would see the idea of attacking football get crumpled up and tossed into a bin. If Sunday’s result is a negative one, Bruce should realize that it is his fault for waiting this long to give the team a fighting chance.
It is not the fault of the players or the fans that he would decide to switch things up against one of the most dynamic teams in England.
Who knows what will happen. The aim of this editorial was to get fans thinking of a possible scenario that could occur knowing Bruce’s mentality.
Based on Jamaal Lascelles’ shocking interview yesterday, my hope of seeing attacking football this weekend could very well just be wishful thinking, but if the tactics were modified and the Toon win, then I do not know how Bruce would justify reverting back to his old ways.