Newcastle United need this £10m veteran’s leadership in the lineup

Newcastle United are simply trying to stay afloat in their fight for Premier League safety. This is the time to leave no stone unturned if you are Steve Bruce making your lineup decisions. While he doesn’t have a surefire ace in the whole, there is an experienced player available on his bench that may bring the exact tools to the table that Newcastle need the most right now.

Matt Ritchie has not appeared in Newcastle United’s last eight Premier League matches. Six of those fixtures ended with losses for the Magpies. Now, with the club’s safety in the top flight very much in question,  Bruce should turn to the veteran at left-back.

Ritchie is known to pick up his performances down the stretch and that could be a valuable asset to a club that needs as much help as it can get to avoid relegation. He’s a quality crosser from the run of play and also is a weapon on set pieces, where Newcastle haven’t had much success this season.

Obviously, Ritchie’s contributions go beyond the simple tactics of soccer. He’s a passionate player that demands the best from his teammates. He also leads by example with a nonstop work rate. A return to the starting XI for Ritchie could help light a fire under a group of players that desperately need that right now.

This veteran could provide the passion and leadership Newcastle need right now.

In addition to everything Ritchie brings to the squad, his entrance into the starting lineup would also be a benefit because of who he would replace. Jamal Lewis may be the left-back of the future for Newcastle United, but he has struggled for a lot of this season.

Bruce turning to Ritchie would allow him to get Ritchie’s skill set and passion into the lineup while also benching a player that doesn’t seem up to the task right now. When the lineup is announced vs. Wolves this weekend, it would be a nice boost to the club if Matt Ritchie’s name is included on the backline.