A dramatic night on Tyneside, as Newcastle United played a five-goal thriller against Championship West Brom that caused a few problems for the Magpies. The Toon Army just managed to win the game, with Harvey Barnes scoring the winner, on a night where the substitutes made the difference and showed a few teething issues the Magpies still have to sort out.
Substitutions made the difference
Matthias Jaissle put out a rotated eleven, understandably so, given there is Spurs at the weekend and it was a chance to give a few other players a go.
The problem with that, though, is they didn't provide the necessary impact, particularly on Jacob Murphy, as the back-up right-winger doesn't strike me as having much confidence, given his ineffectiveness in games, and Nick Woltemade continued to struggle.
Bazoumana Toure looked good with his deliveries into the box and his ability to drive up the pitch, even getting the equaliser too, but he wasn't in sync with Lewis Hall. At half-time, he came off, and Harvey Barnes came on, wasting no time getting the ball into the back of the net, and Newcastle went into the lead.
After 60 minutes, Yoane Wissa, Lewis Miley and Anthony Elanga came on. Straight away, there was more energy in forward areas, the midfield was better connected, and the full-backs were much more in sync.
Newcastle went on to win the game after Elanga set up a pass for Amar Dedic, who laid it off for Barnes, scoring the winner.
Experimentation is normal during Carabao Cup games, but there is a clear problem: even the back-up players, especially in key areas such as attack, aren't able to generate the same impact. At one point, Barnes had to tell Woltemade not to drop off.
One of the biggest killers of Newcastle's seasons has previously been the loss of key players and the void it has left in the team. The subs saved the day on Wednesday night, and it speaks volumes about the lack of game changers currently available.
Amar Dedic providing tough competition at RB
t's only been two games, but Dedic, within two games, has made a very good impression; his energy to get up the pitch, contribute as part of the attack and then come back into the defence, making an interception or a tackle to win back possession, is making him popular quite quickly on Tyneside.
Two assists in two games isn't a bad way to start your Newcastle career and is delivering the exact performance Jaissle wants. Tino Livramento has tough competition ahead of him if he wants to get that permanent RB spot back, as Dedic currently has it, and, as stated above, it's only been two games.
A competitive spirit is what Newcastle could do with, particularly for Livramento who has been poor these last two seasons, and you'd think this can light a spark in him, proving his worth as the starting RB.
Selection headaches are never a bad thing for a manager, and it is something Newcastle hasn't had for quite a while.
Nick Woltemade continues to struggle
It's too early to judge Woltemade in this current system, basing it off pre-season friendlies and his first competitive start to the new season on Wednesday night. But for that opening spell of the match, he looked short of confidence and failed to generate much of an impact. His struggles have been a growing theme ever since his arrival last summer, and whilst he did tee up Elanga in the passing movement that led to Barnes' winner, he struggled, simple as that.
He isn't going to run in behind, but he won't be able to dictate play, and he doesn't look to be at the desired level for where Jaissle wants this team to be. I mean, he was screaming at the lad on the touchline during the Visit Malta weekender game against Bayer Leverkusen.
He isn't able to contain the ball or move it out quickly enough, allowing extra bodies to be pinned onto him, which is what happened against West Brom, and for that, it's hard to figure out what his place is in this Newcastle side.
Nervousness in midfield and defence
It was another positive night out for Sean Steur, Lewis Miley and Jacob Ramsey. But there is still a lack of control in midfield, as Newcastle couldn't contain or control the ball and hold it for a prolonged period, often looking too panicky in possession.
The same can be said in defence, albeit it was simply the wrong place and time for Lewis Hall when he gave away a handball. The back four were too nervous with their clearances and inviting pressure onto themselves, making the task much harder. Whether it is a drop-off toward the back end of the game or just nervousness and getting used to playing with each other, it needs to be addressed.
Last season, it was the case of the team dropping off and taking their eye off the ball; that issue still seems largely present.
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