Newcastle United are riding high in the table, and are likely nailed-on for promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. But that hasn’t stopped their fans getting a bit antsy at tonight’s team news.
When some fans saw the Newcastle starting XI (below), there were more than a few gasps from some Newcastle United fans.
TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up against @LUFC at St. James' Park this evening (kick-off 7:45pm BST). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/jjACrJVxz9
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 14, 2017
Causing the most concern, it seemed, was the pairing of Jerome Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba at the heart of the Magpies’ defence. Lascelles has picked up the plaudits for his displays this season, but it seems that Newcastle fans are not altogether convinced that this pairing will work against Chris Wood.
Leeds striker Wood is the Sky Bet Championship’s leading scorer with 24 league goals to his name. But his game is more than that goal threat, the Kiwi captain is also a powerful presence as the spearhead of the Leeds United frontline and has manhandled more than his fair share of central defensive partnerships this season on the way to his 24 goals.
It is these strengths, plus a lack of surety about the defensive pairing chosen by Rafa Benitez to handle Wood that has raised comments by Newcastle United fans over on Twitter.
Lascelles and Mbemba to start against Chris Wood – Newcastle fans respond on Twitter
Twitter user and Toon fan Ant4Mind sees Chris Wood scoring as almost inevitable.
Mbemba and Lascelles against Chris Wood 🙈
I'm not looking forward to this. Chris Wood headed goal is a guarantee! #nufc #lufc
— Ant B (@1AntB) April 14, 2017
This is a view shared by Newcastle fan John M.
Centre Halves will have a torrrid time against Wood. Hanley should be in.
— John M (@ShieldsMag) April 14, 2017
Some Toon fans aren’t sure that Mbemba is the right choice, not by a country mile.
https://twitter.com/adamecurry/status/852941957034901504
Magpies fan Jimmy isn’t sure of the pairing and their ability to shepherd and control a rampant Chris Wood.
https://twitter.com/JPCurrey/status/852941696073596930
for a team in second place in the table, it seems there’s many Newcastle fans not sure about Frenchman Mbemba.
Hope I'm wrong but I'm a little bit terrified of Lascelles and Mbemba together at the back once again… #nufc
— Daniel Smith (@_danielsmith1) April 14, 2017
Here’s another Toon supporter that’s not altogether convinced that Mbemba has what it takes to control Leeds’ top scorer.
https://twitter.com/PaulSummers14/status/852945757032370176
With kick-off just over 15 minutes away, it will soon become apparent whether Newcastle United fans’ concerns are warranted.
