Eddie Howe wants the showdown between Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson to drive Newcastle to new heights.
The United boss is facing an awkwards but luxurious juggling act with both £60m Isak and England World Cup star Wilson in top form and scoring. Both are steely characters and want to lead the line from the start, and be the main man up front.
But the way Howe sets his team up means only one can play, flanked by the pace of United’s wingers like Allan Saint-Maximin, Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon. At the moment, both Wilson and Isak are in goal-scoring form, even from the bench.
Sweden international Isak has four in his last four appearances, including in the 5-1 thrashing of West Ham when he came on as a sub. Wilson has three goals in three games, including as a sub against Manchester United, and 10 for the season. He is back in top shape after doing extra conditioning work and shaking off minor injuries during the international break.
Howe now faces a dilemma over who to start at Brentford on Saturday. The Toon squad, currently third, had a rest day in London on Thursday with no training, and stayed in the capital ahead of the weekend. Whoever gets chosen to start, like all of United’s forward players, will give it a blast for 60 minutes, when Howe frequently changes the side and refreshes his forward line from the bench.
It could be Isak, the fresher player on current rotation, plays against Brentford, but Howe’s thinking is hard to second guess. On his striker dilemma, Howe said on Thursday: “You need goals, I want those options, and the players have to understand – whether they are playing or not playing – and both players have to be honest about the situation.
“Alex was excellent about my decision at West Ham, and he proved that when he came on and scored. For Callum the roles were reversed – he didn't start against Manchester United, Alex played really well but then he came on and scored. Hopefully it will drive both of them on to give more.
“I would never say, 'You're a 60-minute player' because I don't think that's healthy for their brains, but the way the game is going, and the way we want to play, it gives a player coming onto the pitch long enough to get into the game. But it all depends on the game, the situation and the players you have on the bench.
“I've said many times, Callum and Alex can play together, it's not just a case of one or the other. I do see a time and a place where they will be on the pitch at the same time.”
The intensity of Newcastle’s play, with constant pressing to win the ball back, then relentless positive forward passes that never give the opposition a break, means they have to use their bench and substitutions cleverly.
Two more away games in a row, before a showdown with top five rivals Spurs, are a test of that and Howe said: “We are only looking at Brentford. Aston Villa will be a totally new challenge because they are going brilliantly at the moment and Brentford's going to be hard enough.
“Three away games in a row is fairly unique and it affects how we prepare for each one. We felt if we could get the first goal at West Ham it would help us with the crowd reaction, and the different situation West Ham are in, and Brentford are in a totally different position – the feel of the stadium, the crowd will be different, and we have to be prepared. It's a totally unique test.”
On the challenge of Brentford, Howe added: “It's a tough stadium to go to, a tough style to play against, very physical, set plays and crosses are going to be a threat. Thomas has done an incredible job there and it's always a good atmosphere, so we need to be ready for it.”
