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Newcastle United’s starting lineup for the rest of the season

By Cade Cracas

Newcastle United's Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron (L) joins teammates in the line-up ahead of the English League Cup quarter final football match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east England on January 10, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle United's Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron (L) joins teammates in the line-up ahead of the English League Cup quarter final football match between Newcastle United and Leicester City at St James' Park in Newcastle upon Tyne in north-east England on January 10, 2023. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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The age-old question that circulates a team is; what should the starting lineup be?

For Newcastle United, the starting 11 has shifted plenty of times this season, but with recent acquisitions, breakouts and breakdowns occurring, who should be in the starting 11 for the black and white?

Newcastle United currently sits at an overall record of 10-11-2 in the Premier League to go alongside an impressive run in the Carabao Cup Final that fell just short of a trophy. The team has had an impressive year that has defied the odds of the media and supporters alike.

However, the starting lineup has fluctuated too many times for my liking. Whether it’s due to injuries, suspensions, or cup ties, the team has not been able to flourish due to inconsistent lineups.

(L-R) Newcastle United’s English defender Matt Targett, Newcastle United’s English defender Kieran Trippier and Newcastle United’s English midfielder Jacob Murphy discuss the taking of a free-kick during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
(L-R) Newcastle United’s English defender Matt Targett, Newcastle United’s English defender Kieran Trippier and Newcastle United’s English midfielder Jacob Murphy discuss the taking of a free-kick during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on March 4, 2023. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

The hypothetical lineup for the remainder of the season should be as follows:

On the defensive side of things, Newcastle United should obviously be sending out Kieran Trippier on the right side.

On the left, this gets slightly more difficult because both Dan Burn and Matt Targett have been very inconsistent on the season. However, you have to look at both the offensive and defensive capabilities and Targett takes the edge. While Burn may be a better defender, Targett can defend and help with attacks.

In the middle of the defense, this one is obvious as it will be Fabian Schar and Sven Botman side by side as we’ve seen all season long.

Having both Burn and Paul Dummett coming off the bench will be nice, as I also hope to see Newcastle utilize Harrison Ashby as the 21-year-old continues to improve.

Now to the midfield. This group of individuals has been the backbone of this squad, with a drastic differential in talent between them. Obviously, the team will have Bruno Guimaraes starting, with Joelinton beside him. Sean Longstaff has been solid but has not been consistent all season. I would much rather see Newcastle utilize Anthony Gordon in the midfield to see how he performs.

Up top, the most likely options would be Alexander Isak as the striker, Allan Saint-Maximin on the left and Miguel Alimron on the right. This would add plenty of versatility up top for the offense to maximize their speed and effectiveness.

light. Trending. 3 transfer targets for Newcastle United in the 2023 offseason

With the team struggling in recent contests, losing three straight, Howe must get this lineup set as the season hits its tail end.

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