Newcastle United are on a hunt for goals and this weekend could prove to be the perfect opportunity for Eddie Howe to mix things up at the top end of the pitch. The Magpies boss continues to highlight the fact his side are creating chances but their struggles in front of goal are clear for everyone to see.
Newcastle failed to find the net against Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City in recent games and have only scored three league goals since the Boxing Day rout of Leicester City. The north east outfit have a decent chance of rectifying such an issue when Wolves visit Tyneside this weekend.
Howe proved on Saturday he isn't afraid to mix things up and the Newcastle boss has enough credit in the bank to do the exact same at St James' Park this Sunday. It's time to try a previously unseen trio in attack.
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£58m summer addition Alexander Isak is the man who has definitely earned a starting role in this side. Impressing off the bench of late, the Swede has been banging on the boss' door since returning from multiple thigh issues.
Isak has looked comfortable playing either in behind Callum Wilson, out wide or as a central striker since the turn of the year but it is through the middle where he should be given the chance to try and fix Newcastle's goal drought. After all, he was brought in from Real Sociedad to score crucial goals for Howe's side.
Isak has formed a decent partnership, both on and off the pitch, with Allan Saint-Maximin. Another player desperate to try and regain his place in Howe's first-team plans, he is another who should be brought back into the fold against Wolves.
Saint-Maximin has waited patiently for his chance to be restored to the first-team after hamstring issues plagued the first part of his season. The flamboyant Frenchman is often singled out as the scapegoat when things don't go right or he drops a below-par performances - but in recent games we have seen glimpses of the 'Old Maxi'.
Saint-Maximin is the ultimate confidence player - and there was a feeling he was really beginning to build up a head of steam since returning to the starting XI. Running the show in the defeat to Liverpool and outperforming his fellow attackers in the Carabao Cup final, it was a surprise to see him dropped out of the side on Saturday.
Saint-Maximin was replaced by Anthony Gordon for the Manchester City defeat, with the £40m January signing not enjoying a memorable game. However, Gordon is another who should get the nod this weekend.
Newcastle have looked stale and a tad predictable going forward in recent weeks. Gordon, with his mazy runs and willingness to attack defenders, can offer something fresh in front of the St James' Park crowd.
Gordon may need time to fully find his feet in this side but Howe clearly felt he was ready to be thrown in from the outset against the Premier League champions, away from home no less.
The ex-Goodison Park star has also had the seal of approval from arguably the most important former Newcastle United player. “He fits Eddie Howe’s profile perfectly as a player,” Alan Shearer told Premier League Productions. “Young and hungry. He can, without a doubt, improve him. He’s fit and he can do the job Eddie wants him to do. Get up and get back. Create.
“He’s going to have to improve on his stats, in terms of his goals and his assists. But Eddie feels he can do that, but that’s why I said he fits the profile as a player, perfectly.”
Of course, with Isak, Saint-Maximin and Gordon occupying the three forward positions, there must be unfortunate casualties. Howe continues to state he isn't afraid to make the emotional calls when it comes to axing players - and this weekend he has the chance to put his money where his mouth is.
Callum Wilson has been, and continues to be, a great servant for Newcastle. The striker was again chosen to lead the line at the Etihad Stadium but the England international just cannot seem the shake whatever has plagued him since appearing at the Qatar World Cup.
Howe will, as ever, continue to publicly and privately back his No 9 but one goal since October tells the story of recent games. Wilson was handed a gilt-edged chance against City on Saturday but mishit the ball with the goal gaping. A spell on the sidelines may do both him and the team good.
Elsewhere, there is Miguel Almiron. Newcastle's top scorer this season by some distance but another who is finding goals hard to come by of late. The Paraguayan has netted once since scoring on Boxing Day and continues to run himself into the ground each and every week.
Both Wilson and Almiron seem as though they could do with a temporary reprieve and a spell on the sidelines. While they both played instrumental roles in Newcastle's pre-Christmas form, it's time for Howe to shake it up as the Magpies try to get their top-four push back on track.
Gordon down the right, Maxi down the left and Isak through the middle. Howe has got nothing to lose by opting for this £114m attacking trio when Wolves make the trip up north this week.
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