5 Reasons For Newcastle Fans To Be Cheerful (And 5 To Be Fearful) After Opening Day

by Matt Smith

1. Colback And Anita Have No Direct Replacement

Chieck Tiote replaced Vurnon Anita after 66 minutes and looked well off the pace of the Premier League. If Anita remains injured (after being carried off on a stretcher) then Steve McClaren will have to field Georginio Wijnaldum as more of a box-to-box replacement and play Jack Colback just in front of the back four; a formation that I believe will be more beneficial for Newcastle United this season and less of a risk than fielding an unfit Tiote. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
Contributor
Contributor

NCTJ-accredited football writer with an MA in Sports Journalism. What Culture football editor. Write for the official Newcastle United programme. Former video reporter at North News. Featured and published in the Sunderland Echo, Shields Gazette, Mail Online, The Mirror, The Sun and others.