Does Graeme Jones or Steve Bruce deserve the Newcastle credit? And how do you replace Callum Wilson? Our writers discuss the key Magpies talking points

Who replaces Callum Wilson, Javier Manquillo and Fabian Schar? Does Graeme Jones deserve credit for recent change, or is it Steve Bruce? Here Liam Kennedy and Miles Starforth give their thoughts...

Who replaces Callum Wilson in the Newcastle United side, if the player is set for a spell on the sidelines?

MS: “That’s a tough one. It looks to be a toss up between Dwight Gayle and Andy Carroll. Gayle would seem to be a better like-for-like replacement given the role Wilson has had in recent games. Gayle has had to be patient in recent months, and this could be his chance. Wilson has covered a lot of ground, and caused problems outside the box with his pace and movement, so Gayle could well get a chance of Wilson isn’t fit. That said, Allan Saint Maximin and Miguel Almiron playing off Carroll could also work.”

LK: “I hate the thought of changing this system. Yes I know it is horses for courses and all that, but we’ve been around the houses with close to every system in the book under Bruce – and I want to see him stick with it. What that does, however, is leave him with an issue re replacing Wilson. There is no other natural wide forward in the ranks. The closest to that is probably Joelinton, but I don’t want to see the Brazilian in a Newcastle starting XI any time soon. So for me it is a straight choice between two – and one of them is NOT Andy Carroll, despite that fact he can think himself unlucky to be out the side given recent performances when called upon. It is, for me, between Dwight Gayle and Ryan Fraser. And given that opting for Fraser would be a little outlandish, I’d opt for Gayle – and make sure he knows his role in this team is to be much more than just a striker. It is for that reason Carroll doesn’t fit.”

Following on from the Fabian Schar and Javier Manquillo injuries, Steve Bruce has a defensive conundrum on his hands. Who comes in for the duo at Stamford Bridge?

MS: “Ciaran Clark – who missed the Southampton game after his partner went into labour – is the obvious candidate to replace Fabian Schar, though we don’t yet know whether either Federico Fernandez or Jamaal Lascelles will be fit. Lascelles or Fernandez could, potentially, partner Clark in defence, allowing Isaac Hayden to return to replace the suspended Jeff Hendrick in midfield. As for Javier Manquillo, the only real candidate is Emil Krafth, who came off the bench last weekend.”

LK: “In an ideal world I want to see Isaac Hayden back in midfield. So for that reason, I’m thinking a Ciaran Clark and Paul Dummett central defensive pairing could work against the Blues. I’ve seen some people suggest it would be crazy to play to left-footed centre-halves together. That very suggestion is lunacy to me – you wouldn’t bat an eyelid if United played two right-footed central defenders, so why left? As for Manquillo’s replacement, it virtually picks itself with Emil Krafth. Jacob Murphy at right back in a four might be a touch too attacking.”

Did the Magpies miss a trick in not recalling Florian Lejeune in January?

MS: “Possibly, though the club does have depth in the position even without Florian Lejeune. Also, Hayden, Krafth and Paul Dummett can also play there, so Bruce has options, even without Lejeune. Lejeune composure on the ball has been missed, though.”

LK: “Thing is, I’m not sure even if the recall had happened, Bruce would be all that sold on picking the Frenchman at the heart of his defence. I like the player, when fit, but he looked a shadow of his former self when called upon last season – and I think Bruce has made his mind up on Lejeune, on that basis. It would be no shock to see the player leave in the summer.”

Should Steve Bruce stick with the same system at Chelsea?

MS: “Yes. This team has needed a settled system, and an identity, since Bruce took charge, and we’ve had that since Graeme Jones was appointed. Of course, the system, and tactics, need to be tweaked according to the opposition, but there’s been an improvement in recent weeks, and continuing with it would seem to make sense, even against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.”

LK: “100%. As per the explanation above. I don’t want to see the manager reinvent the wheel re systems, now we have found one that works. Stick with it.”

Who should take the credit for Newcastle United's recent upturn in fortunes?

MS: “It’s too early to say Newcastle have turned a corner, but there’s been a significant improvement over the past three games. There was also the second-half performance against Leeds United. Bruce said Jones was brought in to bring ‘fresh ideas’, and the new system has freshened up the team. Jones quickly got to work on the training pitch, and his structured approach has revitalised the team, so he deserves a lot of credit for the upturn in results.”

LK: “Graeme Jones, Steve Bruce and club – all in different measures. Bruce was open to the idea of a new coach, and should take credit for that. The club acted when change was needed, even if it wasn’t the change everyone expected, they should take a small bit of credit, too. But everyone from the outside looking in can see United have transformed their approach since Jones walked through the door. It is no coincidence. Eighteen months of awful, identity-less football, then three games of positivity. Allan Saint-Maximin’s return has helped, but Jones has clearly been the catalyst for change on Tyneside. And long may the bounce continue.”

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