Five takeaways from Newcastle's 2-0 win over Hull
Newcastle United returned to English soil with a 2-0 win in front of 4,500 travelling Geordies before they jet off for a preseason tour of Japan.
The match at Hull City’s MKM Stadium was enlightening in several ways. Here are five things we learned:
- Lewis Hall in midfield
The incredibly talented youngster shone in this position whilst playing for Chelsea’s U21 side, with many calling for him to be given a chance there during last season's crippling injury crises. Howe refused the calls, and Hall himself has admitted in an interview this summer that he wasn’t ready to.
The lad from Slough shone in threea hybrid LB/LCM position with his positioning and tactical awareness shining through. The £28million man’s versatility was also on show as he played at number six too. A promising start for the 19-year-old, although it remains to be seen how he would cope in those positions against better opposition.
- Jacob Murphy looked sharp
Three goals and six assists in his last eight outings are excellent statistics for the boyhood Newcastle fan. If we were to go into the new campaign with him as our first choice right-sided forward/winger I would be concerned, but he was our biggest threat at Hull, delivered several dangerous crosses and came away with one goal and an assist.
With rumours aplenty about Miguel Almiron’s looming move to Saudi Arabia, Murphy would be an excellent rotational option for United on that side.
- Isak is World Class
The man oozes talent and scored this afternoon with a lovely outside of the boot flick after getting across his marker. The Hull City defenders couldn’t cope with his movement and his speed of thought and football brain is evident.
If Newcastle are to achieve their lofty ambitions this season – Isak will be vital, and the 24-year-old has made an excellent start to preseason, scoring in both games so far. He could be an outside bet for the Golden Boot this year if he stays fit.
- Squad needs reinforcements
19 players missing says it all. Granted, many are on extended breaks after summer tournaments, but some fans’ preseason jitters will be alleviated once new players come in the door.
Howe confirmed after the match that he is meeting with Sporting Director Paul Mitchell ‘multiple times a day and PSR is forcing prices up in a slow market’ but there is nothing happening imminently.
- Eddie Howe’s tactical acumen
There were moments during the game when Newcastle shifted into an almost 3-3-4 formation with Hall and Livramento inverting, giving the four forwards/attacking players a solid base to operate from which resulted in the excellent first half showing.
Howe also shifted the lads into a 3-5-2 in the second half, much like he experimented with last preseason in America, although it was a slightly different formation then. Eddie’s showing his flexibility tactically and what really sets him apart from other English coaches. You can see why he would be attractive to the FA, and he would certainly do wonders with the players available to him internationally – although I certainly hope he stays long term at United.
