We’re getting very close to game time now, with players set to return home from around the world in the next 48 hours to start preparing for games this weekend.
Some will be coming back to Cobham with new injuries, others tired after two games in a week, away from their homes. Newcastle, on the other hand, have relatively few internationals, and playing at home will be far the fresher side after a week off.
Frank Lampard must be supremely careful to not let any complacency creep in. He needs to pick a really fresh and motivated team to attack the Magpies from the off. We have the firepower to beat teams, but not the solidity to keep them out, so it’s vital to push forward while we still have the legs at the start.
After that, he has the depth on the bench to change things up, and some players, like Tammy Abraham, should be fresh after not playing too much.
It’s an easier run of games coming up, and we’ve got to take advantage.
