It's probably me but don't we get more than our fair share of matches where the opposition have just changed their manager (and owners with this one)? I have no stats whatsoever to back up this assertion, but my feeling is that we keep on coming up against 'new manager bounce' (as if we need any extra difficulties). It also seemed that Liverpool kept on playing teams that were just about to go into a final and their players were trying to avoid knocks. Of course this probably isn't true. But it seems true.
Club statement: Following a number of reports regarding the health of our players, the Club would like provide clarity to events of the past 48 hours. After further analysis following Premier League protocol, two players – whose names will not be disclosed due to medical confidentiality – returned false positive tests for COVID-19 on Friday after returning from international duty.
That's virtually a full strength team isn't it? So all we need now is for them to 1. Be assed to put in a shift and 2. Find some form. A bridge too far perhaps?
The pros: It looks like we’ll go 4231 again which is our best formation. Romero and Emerson keep their spots. Son and Gil’s initial covid scares are put to bed. The cons: For some weird reason none of our managers have liked Rodon despite the fact most fans do. Fatty is still getting into the XI. Lucas shouldn’t be starting over Gil anymore. With Nuno as manager I’m half expecting us to still play boring and defensively and make little to no runs other than hoping Son/ Kane pull something out the bag.
If Gil did pick up a knock on international duty, probably wise to start Lucas - given playing with a knock is what took out Bergwijn
Right or wrong, that's some atmosphere at the Toon... Hope the lads don't freeze or just sit back and let Newcastle dominate. And I have feckin' Shearer on the stream!
