Eddie Howe is unlikely to field Alexander Isak alongside Callum Wilson in a potent two-man attack. Why is that? Because he has already told us so.
A year ago, Chris Wood was tasked with leading the line for most of Newcastle United’s surge to survival. First-choice striker Callum Wilson had suffered a torn calf, ruling him out for most of the campaign.
The New Zealand international was used as a focal point in a 4-3-3 system but concerns about a poor goalscoring return placed his starting berth under threat. Once the Toon number nine returned in May, Howe was asked directly if he would ever start the two up front.
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"We’re playing in a different way to that - not with two strikers,” he told Chronicle Live at the time. “I’m not saying it would be impossible, but I think it would maybe be difficult for us to incorporate both into the same team, and still produce a team that is strong enough off the ball to withstand that.
"I think a lot of the problems with two strikers, and why I wouldn’t say gone out of the game, but probably going out of the game, is because, off the ball, you have big spaces. Your midfield and back four find themselves with huge spaces to defend. It’s not something I’d say that I’d never do, but it’s certainly not something that’s in my immediate plans to play that way."
What made those comments so surprising is the fact Howe often trusted a two-man attack at Bournemouth. For much of his time on the south coast, the Magpies boss played 4-4-2 but, so far, he has been reluctant to revert to his former system.
In the Premier League, Wilson would often partner Benik Afobe or Joshua King, proving he can share the responsibility up front if needed. The 30-year-old missed the trip to the Cherries at the weekend but Howe confirmed he should be fine to take on Liverpool.
There is clamour among sections of supporters to play him alongside Alexander Isak because of the worsening midfield crisis. Going into the Liverpool game, Newcastle have just two fully-fit midfielders - Joelinton and Sean Longstaff - to choose from.
Howe deployed Isak slightly behind Wilson in a time of desperation against Fulham last month. The move worked wonders as the two combined for a last-gasp winner, offering a glimpse of what they could achieve when paired together. But, as a re-educated Howe said last year, there is little chance of him returning to the two-up-front days.
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