Howe should resist overwhelming Wilson and Isak…

Howe should resist overwhelming Wilson and Isak temptation as Newcastle boss finds ideal Plan B

What a glorious headache to have. Two supreme strikers at the peak of their powers battling it out for a solitary starting role at Newcastle United.

Alexander Isak's £58m Newcastle move didn't get off to the best of starts but since overcoming early thigh issues the Swede has already proved he feels at home in England's top flight. Newcastle's club-record fee already feels like daylight robbery after his stellar start on Tyneside.

Then there is Callum Wilson. Few will admit it... but there were question marks beginning to linger over his long-term Magpies future after a sluggish spell post-World Cup. His response? Eight goals in a calendar month - more than any Newcastle player in Premier League history.

Eddie Howe has so far resisted the temptation to start both men from the outset. Newcastle's sublime system, which sees only one out and out striker used at any time, has worked wonders this term and hasn't failed its implementor yet.

Isak and Wilson have proved they can play together, however. Isak showing he's just as at home dancing beyond defenders out wide as he is finishing chances through the middle. Wilson even made a subtle nod to his attacking co-star's wing play after the 4-1 win at Everton.

"Obviously I'm more of a natural nine and he's more of a wide player and it's a good partnership," Wilson said. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Howe admits Wilson's incredible run of goalscoring form has given him 'food for thought' with a quintet of Premier League games to play. Will we see both men start from the outset together? I might be in the minority when I say Howe should continue to only play the duo together when Newcastle really need them.

Wilson's introduction off the bench in Sunday's win over Southampton changed the game when Newcastle were struggling. Isak's introduction in the second-half at Everton was swiftly followed by the Magpies scoring their third goal and killing the game, before *that* assist for Jacob Murphy to make it four.

Isak's 20-minute cameo against Fulham back in January saw Howe's side snatch victory late on as the ex-Real Sociedad man headed home from close range. Wilson's arrival at half-time against Brentford saw Newcastle flip the tie on its head.

Both strikers are proving not only can they play alongside each other, they can influence and change games when deployed together late in games when Newcastle really need them.

Start them together and it feels as though Howe loses a trusted plan B. One that has helped Newcastle on multiple occasions this season. Starting Isak out left and Wilson through the middle leaves the north east outfit with no recognised striker waiting on the bench.

There is also an abundance of talent waiting metaphorically and literally in the wings. Jacob Murphy, Miguel Almiron, Anthony Gordon, Elliot Anderson, Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin continue to battle it out for a place on either flank.

Isak being shifted out wide from the outset denies one of these wingers a starting role, despite a number of them enjoying solid runs in the team of late. Gordon and Anderson have impressed in fits and starts of late, while Maxi will be raring to go should be overcome fitness issues between now and late May.

Of course, this is a great headache for Howe to have. With Champions League qualification inches away, the Toon boss can begin to experiment with his starting selections.

However, there's an argument to be made that while Wilson and Isak are clearly thriving together, Newcastle's new dynamic duo offer Howe a consistently brilliant plan B when things are going his team's way.

Howe should resist overwhelming Wilson and Isak temptation as Newcastle boss finds ideal Plan B

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