Newcastle United failed to pick up their first home win in the Premier League since October as they surrendered a one-goal lead to draw 1-1 with Burnley at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.
The Magpies looked to be on course to take all three points on their own patch for the first time since they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 on October 21 when captain Jamaal Lascelles gave them the lead in the second-half.
However, an unfortunate late own goal by keeper Karl Darlow meant that they had to settle for a share of the spoils, and they now have the joint-worst home record in the Premier League having taken just 13 points from their 13 top flight matches on Tyneside.
The result left Rafa Benitez’s men just four places and one point above the relegation zone as they look to avoid making an instant return to the Championship, and it perhaps placed more importance on their trip to south London to face Palace – the last team they tasted success against at St James’ Park – at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
It certainly won’t be an easy task against Roy Hodgson’s side but the Magpies need to start picking up points on the road due to their disappointing home form, and their manager needs to make some big decisions ahead of the long journey to the capital.
Here are three things Benitez must do so Newcastle pick up a vital away win at Palace…
Start all of his new signings
Rafa Benitez had been desperate to strengthen his squad throughout the January transfer window, and he ended the month with three new additions with loan deals until the end of the season going through for Islam Slimani and Martin Dubravka, adding to Kenedy who impressed on his debut against Burnley after picking up the assist for Newcastle’s goal.
With 13 Premier League matches of the season left to go, there isn’t really too much time to bed the signings in gradually and as these are the players he really wanted he must throw Slimani and Dubravka straight into the starting XI against Palace – especially with Karl Darlow scoring an own goal against the Clarets and with Joselu drained of confidence after missing a penalty on Wednesday.
The new players can bring a freshness and a new spark to this Magpies team, and that could prove to be all the difference against Palace on Saturday.
Keep the faith with Merino and Diame
While some Newcastle fans may be feeling that Jonjo Shelvey should be in the starting line-up, Benitez should stick to his guns and keep the faith with Mo Diame and Mikel Merino as their partnership in the middle of the park continues to flourish.
The former was particularly impressive against Burnley on Wednesday, and having been nothing more than a fringe player earlier in the campaign – and not hugely popular among the St James’ Park faithful – he now has to be one of the first names on the team-sheet right now because of the form he is in.
The Magpies could be in for a physical battle against Crystal Palace on Saturday, and not only would Diame be useful in that sense, but he also has the ability and strength to break effectively with the ball on the counter too – a tactic the visitors may need to use at Selhurst Park.
Make sure his full-backs are prepared
Crystal Palace are known for having pacy wingers and attacking down the flanks, and Benitez must ensure that his full-backs are prepared and ready for what could be a tough afternoon at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Newcastle have actually been boosted with Bakary Sako set to miss out after picking up an injury in his side’s 1-1 draw with West Ham on Tuesday night, but the Eagles are still likely to have Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend – someone the Magpies know very well – out wide at the weekend.
Both are dangerous players on their day and DeAndre Yedlin and Paul Dummett must ensure that they are at the top of their game to stop the dynamic duo, and boost their team’s chances of picking up a much-needed three points.
Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.
