Time for Callum Wilson to be ‘Castaway’? | OneFootball

Now I don’t want to rock the boat and I don’t even know why Callum Wilson was absent from the squad against Brighton.

However, when Matthew the barman at Tynemouth Club read out the Newcastle United line-up at 2pm on Saturday, I inquisitively asked who was on the bench…?

I was so dumbfounded and bewildered when I didn’t hear Callum Wilson’s name, that I almost despairingly cried out “Wilsonnnnn…” Tom Hanks style, like in the movie Castaway.

After Callum had came back into the fray for the previous two games I was happy that we once again had two formidable strikers available for the season’s run-in. Wilson along with Alexander Isak are two of the best in the business.

Newcastle’s owners are now going to have to get the cheque book out in the next few months and make a new striker our number one priority. I think Eddie Howe will demand it.

I also reckon that we will have to seriously think about offloading Callum Wilson if a reasonable offer is put on the table.

It’s just so frustrating because he is a very good player and supreme finisher.

One thing to consider is who could the club bring in that is as good as Callum Wilson in front of goal?

There have been the recent Dominic Solanke rumours and I have also read that we are claimed to be one of a few Premier League clubs monitoring RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

I hope in the next few years we will see a good centre forward emerge from the academy. If he were a local lad it would be all the better.

I still tell people that the last Geordie to successfully make the step up, Andy Carroll, could have been one of the best.

It was a sorry day for Newcastle United when Andy left to join Liverpool in 2011.

Carroll’s career then went on to be blighted by injuries in a similar way to Callum Wilson.

No one will be happier than me if Callum is back in the squad to face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Stats via BBC Sport:

Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Saturday 11 May 3pm

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Longstaff 45+5

Brighton:

Veltman 18

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Brighton 45% (40%) Newcastle 55% (60%)

Total shots were Brighton 15 (10) Newcastle 18 (10)

Shots on target were Brighton 4 (3) Newcastle 7 (4)

Corners were Brighton 4 (3) Newcastle 8 (6)

Referee: Darren England

Newcastle team v Brighton:

Dubravka, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Hall (Trippier 90+2), Longstaff (Joelinton 68), Bruno, Anderson, J Murphy (Almiron 68), Gordon, Isak (Barnes 68)

Unused subs:

Pope, Dummett, Ritchie, White, A Murphy

(Match Report – A glut of frustration at St James’ Park – Read HERE)

(Match of The Day call out ‘Paraguayan Diving Team’ after shambles at St James’ Park – Read HERE)

(Roberto De Zerbi with some interesting comments on Newcastle United after taking away a point – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Instant Newcastle fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

(Newcastle 1 Brighton 1 – Frustration and not fun in the sun BUT this point could be crucial – Read HERE)

Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:

Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)

(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)

Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)

Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)