Football is a squad game. It really is. And when the Carabao Cup comes along many a manager takes the chance to shuffle his pack.
However, the skill is in striking the right balance. Too many changes and the identity is lost and quality drained. Too little and it might be a bit much, a bit soon for some, as well as an upset to squad dynamic, especially for those waiting on an opportunity to stake a claim.
We knew that Eddie Howe took this competition seriously. He won it, quite brilliantly, two seasons back. But we are stepping into the great unknown when it comes to Matthias Jaissle. Will he stick or twist? Well, for me, there’s plenty of positions to twist on, but one that he absolutely cannot.
Here’s my NUFC XI to win down at the New Den.
Lukas Hornicek
This is obviously the biggest call of them all. I have to say, I’m not much for changing keepers, never have been. And with Nick Pope the second option, I’m not sure I am yet ready for a return to that. I hope Jaissle feels the same, as a lot of the style may die with an alteration like that.
Amar Dedic
The only fit right back at the club, still. Tino Livramento is close, and you’d expect he would give one of the two - left or right- a break at some point in this encounter. But, for now, the Bosnian stays in from the start. I suspect he does anyway, mind.
Fabian Schar
Time for the experience. And, you know what, Jaissle might learn a thing or two by slotting the Swiss into the heart of defence. Don’t overlook Schar’s ability as a brilliant line-breaking passer. He might just fit like a glove if vertical football is to be the future.
Sven Botman
A very good start to the season took a dent on Saturday v Bournemouth, but I still think this is an opportunity to get as many minutes as possible into the legs of a man who is still woefully short of them over the last two years. Unless the load suggests otherwise, of course.
Lewis Hall
With Newcastle not playing again until next Monday, Hall will get the break he needs. The same goes with Dedic on the other side. No concerns about playing him in this one. Progress is needed - and he’s a key component of this XI.
Sean Steur
Loved what I saw of the young lad off the bench at the weekend. With Ramsey, it was was his energy which turned the tide of a very difficult midfield battle. Always scanning, always looking forward, he might have a bright future ahead of him - it might just be round the corner on recent evidence.
Nico Gonzalez
He didn’t play a lot before arriving and still looks like he’s trying to get to peak fitness. Nico is the man who will, in time, dictate the way NUFC play, so the more he does, the better for me. It’s all about understanding - that is something that can be bought with minutes.
Anthony Elanga
I was not impressed by the Swede against Bournemouth. Maybe it was a game that didn’t suit, but I thought it was a bit more than that. He offered little to nothing, and his defensive work felt a little shoddy, too. Go and get some form back in this one.
Jacob Ramsey
Been some talk of it this week, and it surprised me not to see it in pre-season, but I think it’s time to unleash Jacob Ramsey in the 10. He has the quality to play there. The only question mark was ever, does he score enough goals or create enough openings to warrant selection? This is a great time to find out.
Baz Toure
Hooked at half-time in the last round, it’s fair to say the lad looks raw. He did, however, score. Too early to judge his levels, but on pre-season, he looks like he has a wicked left peg on him. Needs finessed in other areas of his game.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
I want to see what he has to offer. He’s clearly not fit, but an hour under the belt against a Championship side would do him the world of good. When he came on the park at the weekend he looked bright, light footed and with speed to burn. His pressing was good - you can see why he was signed. Great chance to get a goal. And let’s see Yoane Wissa from 60 onwards.
Toure and Hall need to get an understanding so we defo need to play them together again. The reason Hall and Barnes work is because Barnes likes to cut inside leaving Hall to bomb down the wing. Toure is more of an out and out winger so they were getting in each others way against west brom.