Lloyd Kelly gets the nod to face his old club - Newcastle United team news

 · August 25 2024, 13:07
Lloyd Kelly gets the nod to face his old club - Newcastle United team news
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Eddie Howe has named his Newcastle United side to take on his old club Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium this afternoon. Kick-off is at 2pm.

We have questions. Many questions. Namely - how in the name of Bobby Robson is John Ruddy named on the bench?

We'll get to the actual starting XI in a second but we have five goalkeepers and John Ruddy is meant to be fourth or even fifth choice, yet he's on the bench today? Are Martin Dubravka and £20 million new signing Odysseas Vlachodimos both heading for an exit this week? What is going on?

Anyway, the starting XI sees a full debut for former Bournemouth man Lloyd Kelly who is preferred to Lewis Hall, we assume at left-back with Dan Burn staying in the centre because if not, I may actually cry. Emil Krafth replaces the suspended Fabian Schar.

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Almost got it right

Kelly over Hall is the only unexpected change

The rest of the starting lineup is as to be expected with Sean Longstaff keeping his place over Joe Willock after an impressive display against Southampton.

Jacob Murphy is once again picked ahead of Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon keeps his place over Harvey Barnes despite ongoing rumours about a move to Liverpool.

Youngster Alex Murphy joins John Ruddy on the bench as we already hit a selection issue just two games into the season.

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Newcastle have bundles of energy on the bench

The bench has a few options on there that could add a bit of extra energy to the proceedings if things aren't going Newcastle's way late on with Will Osula hoping to get his competitive debut.

In a pinch Miggy's running can cause Bournemouth problems and of course Joe Willock is always good to bring on to run at tired defenders.

On paper, we should have this one in the bag but there's just something about Newcastle at the Vitality that makes backing a win difficult.

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