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Aaron Stokes

Bruno Guimaraes' new role, Sven Botman question and Newcastle United midfield decision - 5 things

Newcastle United earned their second victory of the weekend with a well-fought win over La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao inside a packed St. James' Park.

Eddie Howe named an entirely different XI to Friday night's win over Atalanta as the 46,000 fans got the chance to see Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman in action.

Here is what we learned from the second of Newcastle's pre-season friendlies this weekend.

Newcastle United 40-page pre season guide available to buy now, CLICK HERE to order. Also available to purchase through local participating retailers from Saturday July 30, 2022.

Bruno's new role

It was a long-running joke among Newcastle United supporters in recent years that the tactic was simply: Give the ball to Allan Saint-Maximin and hope for the best.

Times have changed in recent months and Saint-Maximin isn't the main man for Newcastle United anymore. Now, there's a new occupant of that starring role: Bruno Guimaraes.

Newcastle fans know of his class and witness it most matches. But his pre-season form has been a reminder that he is at the centre of pretty much everything that happens for the Magpies going forward.

Every time he picks up the ball in the middle of the park, Newcastle look dangerous and he was at his brilliant best against Athletic Bilbao once more.

Botman question

Sven Botman made his St. James' Park debut on Saturday and looked right at home as he partnered Jamaal Lascelles in the heart of the defence.

Slick on the ball and able to pick out a sweeping pass or two with his left foot, the Dutchman looks like he may be a proper 'Rolls Royce' player in the years to come.

However, the question that has arisen this weekend is: 'Does he start next against Nottingham Forest?'. Fabian Schar and Dan Burn impressed during the 1-0 win over Atalanta on Friday and given the fact Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier and Matt Targett all started the first of the two pre-seasons friendlies, Eddie Howe may be looking to start the same back five in the Premier League opener.

Double attendance

40,596 piled into St. James' Park on Friday and that total was dwarfed on Saturday as 46,856 flocked to the Athletic Bilbao clash. We know Newcastle United fans are a special bunch but almost 87,000 tickets sold for two pre-season fixtures is incredible.

The demand for home tickets this season proves how impossible it will be for so many diehard fans to get tickets for home matches this campaign. But it also shows that Newcastle are a club going places and fans are desperate to see how the journey unfolds.

Anderson's chance

Elliot Anderson is in with a real chance of starting against Nottingham Forest next weekend after his performances this pre-season - and especially this weekend. Across the 180 minutes of football at St. James' Park in recent days, Anderson and Guimaraes were the two standout players.

The attacker stole the show in Friday's 1-0 win over Atalanta to show he can cut it at his level by the looks of things. Howe was as secretive as ever when discussing Anderson's chances of a first-team role on Friday but he has definitely impressed coaches on Tyneside.

With Jonjo Shelvey out with a hamstring issue, Joe Willock and Anderson look set to go head-to-head for that final midfield slot alongside Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes. Anderson has definitely done enough to put himself in contention.

Wilson keeps his promise

Entering St. James' Park on Saturday, Callum Wilson picked up his phone, looked at the camera and said: "Time for goals." And just four minutes into Saturday's tie, Wilson delivered with a well-taken finish in front of the Leazes End.

A perfect way to end a solid pre-season for the Magpies hitman. Now let's hope he can have an injury-free season!

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