Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle faces a selection dilemma for today's Premier League clash with Bournemouth at St James' Park, with new signing Matias Fernandez-Pardo pushing for a debut.
The Magpies are unbeaten in their opening three games of the new season and head into the match on the back of a 2-0 win at Tottenham last weekend. With no new injury issues, Jaissle would be expected to name an unchanged side, but for the addition of the £51m deadline day signing.
Whether the Belgian forward is ready to start games remains to be seen, but he is expected to be involved in today's lunchtime clash in some form. Elsewhere, the likes of Sean Steur, Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure are pushing for starts, with Nico Gonzalez expected to make his home debut.
Writers split on Fernandez-Pardo role
Lee Ryder believes Fernandez-Pardo should start on the left rather than through the middle. "Matias Fernandez-Pardo has asked to play through the middle as a centre-forward but I think giving him a taste of St James' Park in a less demanding role on his debut is the best idea, so I'd start him on the left as he gets his bearings," he said.
Ryder would keep the back four that performed so well against Tottenham, with the midfield duo of Nico Gonzalez and Lewis Miley staying together. He would keep Joe Willock as the number 10 and Anthony Elanga on the right, with Wissa in attack, naming Harvey Barnes, Bazoumana Toure and Jacob Ramsey as impact substitutes.
Sean McCormick argues that if Fernandez-Pardo is fit enough to play at least an hour, he has to start. "The next question is where he plays. He can play right across the frontline and although people thought he was brought in as a number 10, sources I've spoken to in France believe his best position is as a nine," he said.
Impact substitute or straight in?
McCormick would drop Yoane Wissa back to the number 10 role, start Fernandez-Pardo up front, and leave Joe Willock out of the side. Ross Gregory, however, believes the selection is easy: one change, but on the bench, not in the starting XI.
"The arrival of Fernandez-Pardo gives Matthias Jaissle an extra option in attack but he should replace the departed Nick Woltemade among the substitutes for now," Gregory said. "The £51m Belgian will get his chance but after a few days of training, let it be as an impact player in the second half when the game gets stretched."
Stuart Jamieson would bring two new players in, with Fernandez-Pardo coming straight into the side for Joe Willock and Bazoumana Toure coming in on the left flank. "He may not be fully up to speed, but everyone is desperate to see what he can do, so let's have an hour of the Belgian please," he said.
Fans have been given the chance to pick their own starting XI against Bournemouth, with the question of how many changes to make and whether to hand a debut to Fernandez-Pardo left open.
