Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News 
Newcastle United’s nightmare week has left Eddie Howe with some large choices forward of Monday’s journey to West Ham and subsequent Sunday’s Carabao Cup Ultimate.
Because the clock ticks in direction of a tricky check in opposition to Premier League leaders Liverpool at Wembley, the boss has seen his left facet decimated forward of an important interval on league and cup.
Lewis Corridor will miss the remainder of the season as a consequence of an ankle damage that requires surgical procedure, whereas Anthony Gordon’s pink card was not contested as he begins a three-game ban.
The query now could be, who fills in down our left facet over the approaching weeks and what occurs at centre-back now Sven Botman seems to be set to overlook the following eight weeks?
Gordon’s absence raises questions on how Newcastle will line up at Wembley, each when it comes to participant choice and formation. If Eddie Howe sticks to his most popular 4-3-3 setup, he would possibly select Harvey Barnes as a direct substitute for Gordon.
The 27-year-old, restricted to simply two FA Cup begins in 2025 as a consequence of a thigh damage that sidelined him for six video games, might step in. With 5 targets and one help within the league this season, Barnes will view this as an opportunity to impress Howe and safe a daily first-team spot if chosen.
Alternatively, Howe might deploy Joe Willock as a left-winger, pairing him with Joelinton on the left facet of a midfield three, as he’s accomplished earlier than. An alternative choice would possibly see Joelinton shifted to the left of the assault, with Lewis Miley introduced into the midfield to fill the hole if Joe Willock is just not favoured as a part of our midfield three.
Earlier than we talk about who is available in at left-back, it’s value noting {that a} full formation change isn’t off the desk, particularly when a again 5 proved so profitable within the semi-final second leg in opposition to Arsenal.
Howe would possibly revert again to that. Emil Krafth may very well be drafted in to help Dan Burn and Fabian Schar, with Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier wing-backs, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in midfield and one among Joelinton, Barnes or Willock supporting Isak up prime and Muprhy down the correct?
However, ought to he keep on with a flat again 4 an 4-3-3 formation, he has a few choices at left-back.
Tino Livramento seems the almost certainly substitute with the 22-year-old able to enjoying on either side, seeing Kieran Trippier get an prolonged run within the beginning XI following his restoration from a minor again situation picked up final Sunday.
Matt Targett is our solely match pure left again and could also be wanted if Trippier struggles to remain match, which might see Tino stay at proper again. The priority with Targett is that he has performed so little soccer – simply 4 first staff appearances this season – so it feels unlikely to throw him in in opposition to Mo Salah subsequent Sunday.
So, what’s it to be? Barnes, Joelinton or Willock down the left? Tino at left-back? A formation change that brings Krafth again into the facet to help the struggling Schar and Burn? Tell us what you’d do as we strategy the most important week in our season but.
