Newcastle United have enjoyed a decent start to their new English top-flight campaign. After a shaky first few weeks, they fared well for a side returning to the Premier League this season and slowly come back to their regular grind. They were as high as eleventh on the table with fourteen points from eleven games. They had won five, drawn two and lost two of their nine games in the middle all over.
Things have fallen apart since for the Magpies and they are suffering from the tenacity of the English league. They are now 16th in the league and after having collected just one point from their last fifteen possible. They are two points off the relegation and relegation now looks a possibility.
In a league where results after each match week can send a club relegation to top ten, Newcastle will have to continue their fight if they wish to stay afloat this season.
On the transfer front, things have gone very wrong. A lack of a structured approach coupled with callous planning has seen Newcastle fail to register quality, new players in the summer. Rafael Benitez has made no secret of the fact that Newcastle United need new players. After a very impressive season in the Championships that saw Newcastle return to the Premier League, Benitez demanded more signings of Premier League standard to establish the club in England’s premier competition. However, with Newcastle unable to sell their existing crop of players, Newcastle has had to deal with a stagnant squad and that has frustrated Benitez.
Come the January transfer window, Benitez has made it clear that he wants reinforcements. With a cringy club owner unwilling to spend much on the club, Benitez will have to spend the little money at his disposal wisely.
As for this weekend, he will be stuck with the team he has as of now and here is how he will look to set them up for the match.
Formation: 4-4-2
Defence
Ever since impressing against Chelsea, he has been preferred by Benitez and Karl Darlow will be once again expected in goal.
Javier Manquillo will be positioned in right back with Chancel Mbemba on the left back. 28-year old Ciaran Clark along with Florian Lejeune will be expected at the heart of Newcastle United defence.
Midfield
A midfield quartet of Jacob Murphy, Matt Ritchie, Mikel Merino and Isaac Hayden will be expected to play for the match against Everton.
Attack
Ayoze Perez will be playing in behind Dwight Gayle as the two forwards for Newcastle United.
