Lets avoid a bee sting

It feels a long time since Newcastle United last played doesn’t it? That’s international breaks for you and boy were we served up a feast of football during it. Moving on…

Newcastle face an inform Brentford tomorrow at 3pm and I have to confess, I know absolutely nothing about the Bees other than we tried to sign the injured Alan Judge from them in the summer. I have a feeling we may be back in for the Irishman during the January transfer window, especially now Rolando Aarons is once again injured as well as the other stuff he has going on off the pitch.

Brentford sit 7th in the league, 4 points behind us in 3rd. A win for the magpies could take us to the top of the league if results for Norwich City and Huddersfield Town go our way - although both have home games this weekend. That said, we need to win, on the assumption that both sides above us will get maximum points, we must keep the gap narrow and if anything, break free from the chasing pack.

It is a game I won’t be attending unfortunately. I managed to rupture a disc in my back last week and it has taken me a full 7 days to be able to actually sit down for 30 minutes to write this! I plan to make my return from injury against Ipswich Town the following weekend!

As for who plays tomorrow, once again it is anyone’s guess. The article I wrote prior to the international break was on Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic. Neither have had much game time this season and when they have played, they have certainly not stood out, other than Perez’s MOTM performance in the QPR thrashing. Mitro comes back from international duty after bagging a brace in Serbia’s second game of the week and he will be hoping his form gets him a start. I hope so too.

Whilst the line-up is always up for debate, the formation we play seems to be settled. We have consistently played a 4-2-3-1 system throughout this season with 2 holding midfielders, 1 attacking midfielder, a lone striker and 2 wide men. I would assume Dwight Gayle will retain his place up front but I would like to see Mitrovic come in for Diame as a deep lying forward. Diame has generally been poor this season, something he has even admitted to in a recent newspaper interview. I am by no means writing Mo off but I think a break could help him but most importantly help the team.

In defence I would assume Karl Darlow will keep his place in the side and fully expect a back four of Anita, Clark, Lascelles and Dummett, barring any injuries between now and kick off. DeAndre Yedlin will certainly be in contention for the right back spot though given his recent performances.

In midfield I suspect it will be 2 from Shelvey, Hayden, Colback and perhaps even Tiote.

Brentford will be arriving at St James’ Park with no real expectations of a win - most teams will be the same. Despite not topping the table, we are the big draw in the league and teams face us with a nothing to lose attitude. It is dangerous as we have already seen with the home defeats against Wolves and Huddersfield. That said though, we should win, we certainly have the quality to. Howay the lads!