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In today’s Newcastle United roundup, we take a look at what news has been doing the rounds for the Magpies. Andy Carroll gives a positive fitness update, the club continues to scout Koray Gunter, and former defender Mike Williamson gives his verdict on Steve Bruce’s defensive choices.
‘They’d walk into a lot of Premier League teams’, says Willamson
Report: As reported by the Chronicle Live, former Magpies man Williamson has praised the current group of defenders and believes Steve Bruce has a defensive headache in picking his men at the back. Willamson: “It is a headache for the manager but it’s a good one to have. I think they all have the right ingredients to play that three.
“You can have the freedom to step in when it opens up and play, and they’re all very comfortable on the ball. I think they all defend first as well.
“I think it is strong, and you could argue they would walk into a lot of Premier League teams as well, which proves the level of players that Newcastle have got.
“Newcastle is a huge club, and the more competition you can have for places then the higher you’ve got to be personally to earn the shirt. It’s a fantastic situation for the club to have.”
Verdict: Currently Bruce tends to go for Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett and Fabian Schar in the league, but having conceded eight goals in the six league games so far, perhaps nobody will be safe in the starting XI.
Dummett has played every minute of action so far in the league and has averaged an impressive 6.85 for his performances, whilst captain Lascelles continues to lead from the back with his average of 5.7 clearances. It can also be argued that Schar has been one of the best around on the domestic front, averaging a rating of 7.16, scoring once and completing at least two tackles per game (as per WhoScored).
Bruce keeping tabs on Gunter
Report: In a report from Calcio Mercato, Newcastle are reportedly keeping tabs on Hellas Verona centre-back Gunter. It is reported that the German will be worth around 10m euros (£8.8m), with the Italian side hoping to keep him through the January window until at least the summer.
Verdict: As alluded to in the previous report, the Magpies have remained relatively sound defensively, especially in comparison to other bottom-half teams, such as Watford and Norwich City who have let in 18 and 14 respectively as opposed to Newcastle’s eight.
In reality, only six Premier League sides have conceded less than Bruce’s men, five of which are placed inside the top half of the league, with Crystal Palace the only side in the bottom end who have let in fewer.
Furthermore, Gunter’s statistics this season have not been so eye-catching, as well. The 25-year-old has averaged only 0.8 tackles per game, whilst boasting a rating of 6.50 – which although is respectable, it is no more impressive than Newcastle’s current bunch.
Indeed, the report does suggest the defender will cost only 10m euros, but considering Mike Ashley’s tight purse strings in recent years, perhaps it would be wise to spend the money in forward areas.
Carroll’s positive fitness update
Report: As told by the Chronicle Live, returning Newcastle star Carroll has provided a positive fitness update after making his second debut for the Magpies, after coming on for eight minutes against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Englishman said: “I am hoping for more minutes against Leicester. I am training every day now.
“But the lads have been playing well, so I don’t think too much about it.
“I will just see where it goes from here. I was happy to get 10 minutes against Brighton and to get the reception that I did.”
Verdict: Although Newcastle have looked relatively sound defensively, on the goal front it is a different story. Bruce’s side have netted just four times in six games in the Premier League – the joint lowest in the competition – with the club’s top scorers only bagging one goal each.
However, Carroll did prove that prior to his departure to Merseyside, he can smash them in for the Toon Army, slotting home 33 goals in 91 appearances for his boyhood club.
Of course, it may be a while until we see the 30-year-old reignite this form, but considering the mediocre start from Joelinton, the more fitness Carroll gets under his belt the better.
