More than a couple of eyebrows were raised when Remy Cabella was left on the bench for the game against Leicester City. However, a couple of selections in particular leave a lot more to be desired as John Carver picked both Jonás Gutiérrez and Ryan Taylor in centre midfield. Picking right back and a winger in the middle of then park when you have two 'specialist' centre midfielders on the bench? Classic Geordie John behaviour. Let's not completely lose sight of the fact that to even see both men on a football pitch after all they've gone through is nothing short of miraculous. But their respective displays against Leicester proved that Carver and his coaching staff need to leave all sentiment at the door ahead the final three games of the season. Alongside the wantaway Moussa Sissoko, Jonas and Taylor were out fought, out thought and generally outclassed by true greats of the game in Esteban Cambiasso, Marc Albrighton and Matty James. Oh no sorry, one's nearly 35-years-old while the other two are Championship players at best. This must have left the bewildered figures of Vurnon Anita and Mehdi Abeid on the Newcastle bench questioning their meaning in life. Raylor, in all seriousness, has looked four or five yards off the pace since making his return to the side and will be leaving the club in the summer. The 'dead ball specialist' is very lucky that the owner sees fit to run a football club with the thinnest of threadbare squads. Poor old Jonas on the other hand, you couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Since making his respective return to the first team he has been the one 'man' in the squad who has truly stepped up to the plate in the face of all the adversity. His performances, the one away at Sunderland in particular, have far surpassed all expectations and should've been leaving more than a couple of players looking at themselves in the mirror. At the King Power however, every shot he had hit row Z, he misplaced the ball far too many times to mention and failed to provide to experienced shield for the defence that Carver had obviously hoped he would. Having someone as tenacious as Abeid in there or a rejuvenated Anita (he has looked markedly better and more up for the fight in recent weeks) would have been a better way to go. If Carver feels that picking perceived fan favourites is the way to deflect some of the negativity from the terraces he is sorely mistaken. He needs to pick a proper team (where he can), with players playing in their proper positions. Maybe then Newcastle United won't look like a team of complete strangers on the pitch. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.
