[MarkW]

Looks like a 5-3-2 with Phillips at left wing back again. Unless it's 4-4-2 with O'Shea at left back, and Krovinovic on the left.

[hardtobeat]

Bartley not in 18

[boinging_along]

Anyone else looking to see what VAR has got in store for us today?  It's got to give us a decision that goes in our favour at some point.

[royhan]

Diangana still on the bench despite the fact that Albion are without the suspended Pereira

[johnny Cash]

With Newcastle’s problems, today was a day to pick our best shape and side where possible (with krov always likely to be asked to play Pereira’s role).

Is this it? I’m not sure.

Who’s made Newcastle’s side?

[paulosull]

Phillips question mark for me especially with Gibbs and Grosicki on bench who offer more.

[lewisant]

Diangana still on the bench despite the fact that Albion are without the suspended Pereira

It's madness that in my eyes, today was a great chance to use Diangana well and he played well before he had to go off for the change of shape. I'll reserve judgement until we see who is where but i hope Phillips isn't LB again when Gibbs is available.

I am however happy to see that Bartley is out and Livermore hasn't been bought in.

[lewisant]

Phillips question mark for me especially with Gibbs and Grosicki on bench who offer more.

And Diangana

[frazzle]

With Newcastle’s problems, today was a day to pick our best shape and side where possible (with krov always likely to be asked to play Pereira’s role).

Is this it? I’m not sure.

Who’s made Newcastle’s side?

Newcastle far stronger than made out.

[PartisanBaggie]

With Newcastle’s problems, today was a day to pick our best shape and side where possible (with krov always likely to be asked to play Pereira’s role).

Is this it? I’m not sure.

Who’s made Newcastle’s side?

So much for Newcastle’s problems, Johnny.

That wasn’t the sort of Magpies team I was expecting to see on the team sheet today!

[frazzle]

It's madness that in my eyes, today was a great chance to use Diangana well and he played well before he had to go off for the change of shape. I'll reserve judgement until we see who is where but i hope Phillips isn't LB again when Gibbs is available.

I am however happy to see that Bartley is out and Livermore hasn't been bought in.

Problem is Diangana hasnt been playing well and I don’t see him as a wing back. Gibbs should have started in my view but maybe not fit enough. Phillips did well last week considering.

[Hull Baggie]

Surprised that Livermore isn't back in. Think Shelvey and Longstaff will have a field day against Sawyers, Gallagher and Krovinovic, sometimes you need a bit of physicality.

Glad to see Grosicki on the bench

[hardtobeat]

Our midfield scares me for all the wrong reasons ! 

[lewisant]

The bench actually looks decent to me as i think Austin does offer strikers instinct and he came on and did important bits for us a few times last season, I do think he shouldn't be written of as a bench option if we need a goal

[AlbionFan]

Albion (3-5-2): Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Ivanovic, O’Shea, Phillips,, Sawyers, Gallagher, Krovinovic, Robinson, Grant

[crazedwbafan18]

Their defence is not nearly as strong as theyd like. Definitely an opportunity today. Haydens out of position for a start and theyre not happy about Krafth. Up front they will cause us problems, but you have to hope the lack of training may show.

[Hull Baggie]

The bench actually looks decent to me as i think Austin does offer strikers instinct and he came on and did important bits for us a few times last season, I do think he shouldn't be written of as a bench option if we need a goal

I can't think of Austin coming off the bench and offering anything since Blues away (a year ago!). I know it's not just about scoring but he hasn't got any pace, hardly gets in the box to be on the end of anything (this was certainly the case at the end of last season).

[gazberg]

Weird bench for Slav, 4 of them he doesnt want to play at all if can be helped. We have enough bodies to not have all of them on the bench.

[Hull Baggie]

With Newcastle’s problems, today was a day to pick our best shape and side where possible (with krov always likely to be asked to play Pereira’s role).

Is this it? I’m not sure.

Who’s made Newcastle’s side?

here you go JC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55197155

[gazberg]

Bench looks decent but he dont rate 4 of them.

[Dexy]

Fearful of Sawyers and Krov together , weak .

[gazberg]

Yep, midfield 3 are going to get trounced. I would be assuming one of them, Gallagher has been told to sit basically. Krov and Sawyers are terrible off the ball.

[lewisant]

I can't think of Austin coming off the bench and offering anything since Blues away (a year ago!). I know it's not just about scoring but he hasn't got any pace, hardly gets in the box to be on the end of anything (this was certainly the case at the end of last season).

He was barely given a chance after that

[baggies_24]

I still can’t believe after 2 years of defensive midfielder been a glaring weakness we still haven’t addressed it, that midfield off the ball will offer absolutely no protection to the back 3, says something when the 20 year old Gallagher who plays as an attacking midfielder is the best defensively of the 3.

[LiamTheBaggie]

Newcastle far stronger than made out.

Bruce playing the classic deflection giving him an excuse for if they lose..