Lineups Vs. Everton: Don't Change A Thing

Obviously, Newcastle's loss to Hull City last weekend was a massive disappointment. It continued a string of frustrating and inexplicable home defeats dating back to last season. But as we talked about in this week's podcast, the problem wasn't with the team selection or tactics. Instead, individual errors (and one great finish from Sone Aluko) marred what was a perfectly decent performance otherwise.

Now is not the time to panic, for Alan Pardew to mess with a formula that seems like it can bring some measure of success. So it should be back to the 4-3-3 once more tomorrow. A change of system would be an extremely distressing development. Thankfully, I think Pardew will see it my way and put out the same starting XI against Everton that I've chosen here.

Back five: Tim Krul; Mathieu Debuchy, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, Fabricio Coloccini, Davide Santon

As has frequently been the case, Debuchy will be the key to Newcastle's back four. A poor performance from him can totally unravel the defense. He'll have quite a test ahead of him tomorrow night in the form of Everton left back Leighton Baines. Baines loves to race forward at every opportunity, can put in gorgeous crosses with his left foot, and if he gets fouled outside the box, he's also a free kick specialist. If Debuchy can't control Baines, it could be a very long night.

Midfield: Moussa Sissoko, Vurnon Anita, Sylvain Marveaux

Last season, this fixture was maybe the low point of Marveaux's career at the club. Given a rare opportunity to start, he made absolutely no impression on the match and was mercifully replaced at halftime by Demba Ba. But in the year since, he's vastly improved his performances, even while mostly playing out of position on the wing. With Yohan Cabaye possibly out because of a groin injury, it's time for Marveaux to demonstrate his progress with a strong return to Goodison Park. He has the ability to be a creative force from the number 10 role in this formation. 

Forwards: Loïc Rémy, Papiss Cissé, Hatem Ben Arfa

Based on the reports of Cissé's performance against Leeds on Wednesday, I don't think he's truly fixed his problems. Outside of his goal, it sounded like another struggle for Newcastle's number nine. But the goal itself featured a well-timed run and composed header, and maybe seeing the ball hit the net will spark something in Cissé going forward.

Meanwhile, my personal hero, Yoan Gouffran, kept up his string of strong performances, capping it off with the sort of goal his detractors claim he can't score. The arguments against Gouffran as a Premier League striker seem to be falling by the wayside at every turn. Depending on the match situation, I'd bring him on very early - even before the hour mark - if  Cissé is not performing tomorrow. His understanding with Rémy and Ben Arfa could be vital if Newcastle needs a second-half push.

Comments

[Paul]

Good stuff as always, however, I have one small gripe to raise.

Chaps, please don't include the goalkeeper in your count of defenders, it's not the done thing, that's a "flat back four", not a back five.

Thanks.

[Matt]

Yeah, I know. The main reason why I've been doing that is because I typically don't have anything to say about Krul, so it's easier to just combine him with the defense rather than separating him out.

[Ben from Aus]

gouffran is playing 200% above cisse. AND I ALSO LOVE GOUFFRAN MATE ! got a jersey as well :)

[Shooboo]

By the way it is defence not Americanised defense

[geordiepat]

Based on what we've seen, we should go with the same 4-3-3 formation as the past two games - a win and loss - i.e. 50% success rate, and. 57 points - extrapolated over the season, which we'd all take now.

The Gouffran/Cisse debate is interesting; and some good points were made in the podcast. It seems to be a decision between a striker (gouffran) who reliably posts 6 or 7 out of 10 performances and a striker (cisse) capable of 8 or 9 but is offering no more than a 5 at the moment. I'd go with the latter on balanace, and stick with Cisse, as having a match-winning threat on the pitch tends to bring the best of the other players.

[Paul]

Given comments about remy having a strain, I expect the cisse/gouffran decision to be dodged for another week and gouffran to come in on the left.

I just hope he sticks with 4-3-3 and doesn't deploy some defensive formation to leave us chasing the game left on when we inevitably fail to defend properly.

I'm completely fed up with our inability to pick up runners, cover areas or mark men. We just can't defend individually or as a team anywhere well enough. Can't play defensive if you have no discipline.