Mike Ashley's Newcastle United takeover 'game' set to again play out at Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United is a rollercoaster – and we’re all onboard whether we like it or not.
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From the highs of Saudi riches and the end of Mike Ashley to the takeover collapse, then buzz of the summer signings and opening day win to a home hammering by Brighton. The latest peak of a club record away win at Morecambe and a realistic shot at the Carabao Cup quarter finals will hopefully not soon be followed by another Tottenham trough this afternoon.

Here, our Newcastle United writers Liam Kennedy and Jordan Cronin talk through the big issues in black and white at present with Steve Bruce’s selection, squad, ins and outs as well as Ashley’s re-emergence on the agenda in this week’s Toon Trending Topic.

Who makes Steve Bruce’s Premier League 25 – and who doesn’t?

Newcastle United's Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron (L) vies with Morecambe's English defender Harry Davis (R) during the English League Cup third round football match between Morecambe and Newcastle United at The Mazuma Stadium in north-west England, on September 23, 2020.Newcastle United's Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron (L) vies with Morecambe's English defender Harry Davis (R) during the English League Cup third round football match between Morecambe and Newcastle United at The Mazuma Stadium in north-west England, on September 23, 2020.
Newcastle United's Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron (L) vies with Morecambe's English defender Harry Davis (R) during the English League Cup third round football match between Morecambe and Newcastle United at The Mazuma Stadium in north-west England, on September 23, 2020.
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LK: “So, as we all know, the squad virtually picks itself and it’s oversubscribed. But for me, as Bruce has said, Jacob Murphy deserves a second shot at Newcastle – and that would end Christian Atsu’s solid but underwhelming time on Tyneside. In terms of ability, I’d have binned Emil Krafth but it looks like DeAndre Yedlin will get the chop. If you want to leave space for another signing – after Yedlin, Atsu, Henri Saivet, Rolando Aarons and Achraf Lazaar have been binned – it’s a straight fight between either Fabian Schar and Dan Barlaser. I want to see the latter get a shot, but if a new club cannot be found for fit-again Schar then the senior man has to get the nod really with cover at the back light.”

Have Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron got a case for selection at Spurs?

LK: “Yes, but only one will likely get in. And I think that will be Miguel Almiron. The pace and wing play of Fraser and Murphy off the bench is a nice back up option, while Joelinton just needs to keep doing what he’s doing. More goals against Newport needed. Only then can he really be considered as a support for Callum Wilson.”

JC: “I think Fraser and Almiron should start, especially the latter. Allan Saint-Maximin sounds like he is touch and go but to be honest, I might have been tempted to leave him out anyway just purely going off the horrific opening half-hour versus Brighton. In terms of Joelinton, it was brilliant to see him on the scoresheet but let's not get carried away. Save him for Wednesday against another League Two side. Same goes for Murphy.

If United were only able to free up one space in their Premier League squad, what position would you target for strengthening in the transfer market?

LK: “I think United need a striker to either play with, or pressure Wilson up top. Andy Carroll is Plan B, not a Plan A. In an ideal world you’d want a right-back, a midfielder and another central defender but spaces in the squad will be tight and I think striker strengthening has to be the top priority in the final weeks or so of the window.”

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JC: “Agree with Liam. If Wilson or Carroll pick up an injury, which they have been prone to in the past, then you fear where the goals will come from. I really, really want Joelinton to do well but I almost forget he is an option. I’d love him to prove me wrong...”

What do you make of Mike Ashley’s return to watching games?

LK: “Will Mike Ashley be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon? I’d probably think he will. After all, Spurs are ‘his’ club and it’s a stone’s throw from home. I am sceptical about Ashley’s return. Bruce sees is as a positive, I think it’s just part of Ashley’s takeover game. What significance it has in the long run, who knows? But he’s only really doing what any actual owner should do, watch his team. He never really bothered at all last season.”

JC: “It doesn’t really bring any significance to me. Ultimately, if fans weren’t locked out of St James’s Park then I don’t think he’d be there. He’s probably enjoying getting out and watching some live football for a change rather than be chanted at for 90 minutes. You know the song...”

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