Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
Sport
Matty Hewitt

Change of shape for Newcastle United as fans pick their XI to face Brentford

Newcastle fans have opted for a change of shape in the curtain raiser for Eddie Howe's reign on Tyneside.

The Magpies have traditionally played a back five this season but fans believe that the new Magpies boss will select a back four against the Bees.

Martin Dubravka is widely expected to return between the sticks this weekend and fans are confident that'll happen.

READ MORE: Eddie Howe's message to Newcastle staff in bonding session that will be more important than ever

Toon Army fans have voted to drop captain Jamal Lascelles and play Fabian Schar alongside Federico Fernandez with Javier Manquillo and Jamal Lewis either side of the back four.

The reintroduction of an out and out left-back is something fans have cried out for over the past few weeks in order to free up Matt Ritchie on the left-hand side and play further forward.

With that in mind, Newcastle fans believe Howe will do just that and play Ritchie on the left-wing with Jacob Murphy on the opposite flank, with Isaac Hayden and Joe Willock in the heart of midfield.

Lining up in a 4-4-2, Newcastle's two front men pick themselves.

Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin have been the Magpies' main goal threat this season and it's no surprise to see the Toon Army pick them to lead the line.

Newcastle Fan XI: Dubravka, Manquillo, Schar, Fernandez, Lewis, Murphy, Hayden, Willock, Ritchie, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.

Newcastle fans' XI to face Brentford. (Chronicle Live)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.