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'Masterclass incoming', 'Fall in love' - Newcastle fans react to shock decision v West Ham
Newcastle United fans have taken to social media to react to the shock news that Henri Saivet has been named in the starting XI for the clash against West Ham on Saturday.
The Magpies revealed their line up against the Hammers via their official Twitter account, which revealed that manager Rafael Benitez had made five changes from the side which started against Arsenal last time out.
TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up at @WestHamUtd this afternoon (kick-off 3pm GMT). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/kf7p3pdwSi
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) December 23, 2017
Central defender Florian Lejeune, midfielders Mikel Merino and Isaac Hayden, winger Jacob Murphy and attacker Ayoze Perez are all replaced by Ciaran Clark, Mohamed Diame, Saivet, Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle, in what appears to be a 4-4-2 formation.
Despite the raft of changes, it was the shock inclusion of Saivet, who has not appeared once in the league this season, which had fans in disbelief, turning to Twitter to deliver their verdict on Benitez’s decision to start him.
Here, Football Insider has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ best tweets:
Diame and saivet as a centre midfield pairing is what makes you fall in love with the game ????
— Lewis Keenan (@lewis058) December 23, 2017
Saivet gon score … heard it here 1st #NUFC
— Yorkshire Toon (@Yorkshire_Toon) December 23, 2017
Good to see Clark back in the team i thought Lejeune was struggling, Diame and Saivet in the middle could be the worst CM partnership we've ever had, i hope they prove me wrong
— Dash (@Dash111_) December 23, 2017
Saivet is also more attacking than defensive. What he is planning I have no clue
— Ｊ ♧ s h (@MattRichtea) December 23, 2017
Saivet masterclass incoming
— Liam Herrington (@_liamherrington) December 23, 2017
Saivet getting the nod. I like it
— Kris. (@karcher_nufc) December 23, 2017
No problem with saivet playing. Deserves a go. Diame on the other hand makes geremi look like a good player #nufc
— mark allman (@allman85) December 23, 2017
The 27-year-old midfielder has just one appearance under his belt this season, coming in the League Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest, and has just a trio of unused substitute appearances to his name in the league.
In total he has just five appearances for the first team since arriving from Bordeaux in the January window of 2016.
In other Newcastle United news, the club are expected to make an official move for a 13-goal hot shot.