Newcastle United only have ONE midfielder worthy of a place in the side right now
Eddie Howe has something of a dilemma to solve. Having been denied a League Cup tie at Wimbledon to fiddle with his team selection and restore some confidence after Newcastle's depressing display and result at Fulham he has to confront habitual champions Manchester City from scratch.
What does he do about skipper Bruno Guimaraes, so out of touch with form? What does he do with the whole of midfield? Joelinton is a shadow of the physical colossus we have grown to know and love while Sandro Tonali is crying out to be trusted with his rehabilitation.
Then there are the two full-back positions to contemplate - Kieran Trippier or Tino Livramento on the right, Lewis Hall or Lloyd Kelly left side? Finally comes the front three. Harvey Barnes' goalscoring spree demands inclusion.
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The one piece of good news I guess is that Alexander Isak has been given a full week on the training ground to put more spring into his legs following injury. He didn't need an extra game at Plough Lane and probably would have been left out as protection putting the team at risk of course.
The middle third of the pitch is a real headache. It is the engine room of any team, its heartbeat, and in theory a three of Bruno, Tonali and Big Joe ought to be heaven sent except that form has rendered it hell for United's two Brazilians. Equally Joe Willock should be an excellent addition, pushing relentlessly for inclusion because of what he can bring to the party. Except that he showed against Fulham he is still short of match sharpness after a year of relentless injury setbacks. All of which puts Sean Longstaff back in the frame.
Honestly, Tonali is the only one of the five who deserves automatic selection though it is far from certain that Howe thinks so. He has massive decisions to make. Courageous ones.
What looks on paper like the strongest department of United's side is actually playing like the weakest. Opponents are running through large holes and against a team of relentless passers and pressers like Man City that is worrying in the extreme. I have for some time been championing the need for a defensive No 6 though Howe seems to turn his face away from such observations. He believes Bruno can do it but he obviously doesn't want to preferring to break upfield wearing his Superman cloak. All well and good as long as someone is locking the back door.
The manager's team selection will be fascinating because by his own actions it appears he has admitted getting it wrong in United's last two matches where he has made a staggering total of five changes as early as half-time.
Man City couldn't be a tougher test considering what happened on the banks of the Thames. They are a class above, the benchmark for anyone with ambition.
United's main hope - apart from being at home - is that City endured a physically and emotionally draining match against their arch rivals Arsenal a day after Newcastle's capitulation and had to play a league cup tie on Tuesday night when United didn't so we are rested and they are not though with their squad depth it renders such an advantage miniscule.
While Isak is so important to Newcastle he has scored only once this season after rattling up 25 last time round the course whereas City's man mountain Erling Haaland reached an epic landmark against the Gunners - his 100th goal from only 105 appearances. That's breathtaking.
Surprisingly only one of those ton of goals came against us in four outings, three in the PL and one FA Cup tie. May the Mags keep him that quiet again.
After a gentle start to the season in terms of opposition United are inevitably entering a real tough period when during their next five matches they have to face City, Chelsea away, and Arsenal up here.
Howe has to get his team selection and performances right whether a lack of intensity is down to a subtle change to less pressurised training drills in an effort to overcome a spate of injuries or not. One thing is for certain, United have lost their identity, their verve and enthusiasm. There are plenty of questions that are demanding answers.