Paul Dummett to start for Newcastle United against Everton? | OneFootball

I have to ask the question, is this Paul Dummett time?

A list of unavailable players that has now extended yet again.

A brilliant win against West Ham coming at a considerable cost it seems, in terms of Jamaal Lascelles and others added to Eddie Howe’s problems.

As well as the suspended Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, the likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Nick Pope, Lewis Miley, Joelinton, Callum Wilson and Sven Botman all look definitely out through injury.

Miguel Almiron and Tino Livramento, difficult to see how they go from how they limped off against West Ham, to so quickly bounce back for this Everton match.

Whilst neither Kieran Trippier nor Matt Targett were able to make the matchday squad on Saturday. Eddie Howe has made clear that one or both of them could be back very shortly but at the same time he indicated that he felt he had to be absolutely sure he didn’t take unnecessary risks with either, if bringing them back too soon. So no idea whether tonight might see one or both of them involved but I can’t see how Eddie Howe will want to start them, if at all possible, even if they are able to be included in this matchday squad.

So if indeed all 12 of the above are ruled out as starters tonight, it looks like these 16 are the options to start against Everton…

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Krafth, Schar, Burn, Dummett, Hall

Midfielders / Wingers

Bruno, Longstaff, Ritchie, White, Willock, Barnes, Murphy, Anderson

Attack

Isak

Now before we even start, you take out two of the goalkeepers, then I think fair to say that White and Ritchie are going to be considered to start, unless no other viable options.

So that could / world leave Dubravka in goal and 10 from 12 with these outfield players:

Krafth, Schar, Burn, Dummett, Hall, Bruno, Longstaff, Willock, Barnes, Murphy, Anderson, Isak

I have read differing reports on Krafth after he came on as a sub against West Ham. Some reports claiming it was only a tactical decision to sub the Swedish sub, whilst others saying that he had also picked up a knock. Either way, he was pretty poor and badly at fault for the first goal, he isn’t somebody who would be anywhere close to the team in normal circumstances anyway and so even if he is fully fit, not somebody who is an automatic starter even in these dire circumstances of so many players missing (though I still think he is usually a steady replacement who is whole-hearted and does an ok job!).

Also, I think there is strong case anyway, for ten of the other outfield players to start, including Paul Dummett.

Saturday ended up with Murphy and Hall playing as full-backs although as Eddie Howe made clear afterwards, he wanted them to get forward at will and so only Schar and Burn were left as out and out defenders, although you can hardly ever say that about Schar either!

Anyway, I can’t see Eddie Howe starting tonight with a back four that would have Murphy and Hall as full-backs. Maybe Hall but not Murphy, even though no doubt he would do a job there.

However, far better I think to use their best strengths and have them as wing-backs, with a back three of Schar, Burn and Dummett. Then four from five of Bruno, Barnes, Longstaff, Anderson and Willock in support of Isak.

I think it is obviously going to be tough tonight in terms of managing the team and especially have anything like a strong team on the pitch in the closing stages., particularly as I can’t really see Anderson nor Barnes playing to the very end if they start, having come back from long absences and Eddie Howe clearly taking it carefully with the pair.

Whilst clearly Paul Dummett isn’t near first choice these days, it is easy to forget just what a good player he has been AND he is still only 32, younger than the likes of Schar and Trippier who are first choice defenders and less than eight months older than another in Dan Burn.

Ironically, it has been injuries that have blighted the career of Paul Dummett, especially in later years, but when he has played in recent times, especially in the middle of defence, he has done really well. Even if that is based on very few appearances.

Paul Dummett actually has an outstanding record this season, Newcastle United winning every match he has played in and not conceding a single goal with him on the pitch.

I am being a little facetious, with Paul Dummett an unused sub in the six Campions League matches, only four minutes in the Premier League as a sub in the 4-1 hammering of Chelsea, then brought on in added time in the 3-0 trouncing of Sunderland.

However, there are two pieces of very credible evidence to suggest Paul Dummett could do a very good job tonight.

Back in September, back when he had options… Eddie Howe changed all 10 outfield players for the visit of Manchester City in the League Cup in September.

A starting back four of Tino, Lascelles, Dummett and Targett restricted the mighty Man City to only two efforts on target as United deservedly won 1-0. Paul Dummett only subbed off in the fourth minute of added time having put in a quality display.

Then in his only other start, Paul Dummett was one of numerous changes Eddie Howe made for the 1 November 2023 visit to Old Trafford. United lined up against Man U with a back four of Tino, Krafth, Dummett and Targett. Though after only five minutes a freak injury to Targett saw him replaced by Almiron, with Hall dropping back into left-back.

The result of course  a 3-0 hammering of Man U and that United back line, including Paul Dummett who played the entire match, keeping a clean sheet and restricting Man U to only two efforts on target.

Now Everton are no Man City, indeed, they are not even remotely a Man U.