Despite his reluctance, Steve Bruce has persisted with the 5-2-3 formation Rafael Benitez had installed at St James’ Park before he arrived. The former Sunderland manager trialed a back four at the start of the campaign, but after some poor early results, including being thrashed 3-1 by Norwich City on the second weekend of the season, he quickly reverted to the old system. While it has not been pretty, the setup was incredibly effective at picking up points, regardless of the fact the Magpies have the lowest average possession in the Premier League, 40.2 per cent.
However, when it stopped working and the Magpies slipped to one win in nine Premier League matches, Bruce decided to make a change. Last weekend against Burnley, he started a 4-4-2 with Joelinton on the left side of midfield and while the move was not too effective, there were signs of improvement in the 0-0 draw. Unlike the start of the season, the back four kept a clean sheet, though the wide midfielders and forwards still struggled to penetrate the opposition defence.
Then in midweek at Championship leaders West Bromwich Albion in the FA Cup, Bruce altered his system once more to a 4-2-3-1, with devastating effect. Just six places separated the two sides, but Newcastle dominated and pulled away by opening up a 3-0 lead. Valentino Lazaro was deployed as a right-winger, as opposed to wing-back, and carved out openings along with scoring his first goal for Newcastle. If the Magpies are to break their streak of going goalless in four top-flight matches, he must start there again against Southampton on Saturday.
There was a late collapse against the Baggies as Newcastle conceded two goals, but the simple fact is that if Bruce’s side are going to win games, then they must score. Therefore, he has to return Joelinton to the centre of attack in the Premier League and play the on-loan Austrian further up the field. West Brom also showed that Almiron is at his most effective in the centre, as he grabbed a brace. Bruce must be brave and risk the potential loss against Southampton for a chance of victory on Saturday by utilising the same system.
