Newcastle United fans have taken to social media to react to news that manager Rafael Benitez has decided to start Dwight Gayle for the club’s clash against West Brom on Saturday.
The Magpies play host to the Baggies at St James’ Park on a day which can determine both sides’ relegation fortunes, and revealed the team which the Spanish boss had chosen via their official Twitter account.
TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up against @WBA in the @premierleague this afternoon (kick-off 3pm BST).
Rafa makes one change, with @dwightgayle returning in place of @slimaniislam. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/dy33M3Ievn
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 28, 2018
Gayle came in for Islam Slimani after the Algerian had started Monday night’s defeat away at Everton, a result which ended their four game winning streak that had seen them rocket away from the battle at the bottom of the table and break into the top half.
Benitez had already confirmed that fringe men Christian Atsu and Mikel Merino would be missing from Saturday’s squad, the latter having picked up an injury in a clash on the training ground.
Meanwhile, fans were delighted to see Gayle return to the starting XI, with many suggesting his movement up top is the difference between him and Slimani.
Here, Football Insider has rounded up a selection of the supporters’ best tweets:
Glad Gayle is back in. HWTL #nufc https://t.co/WbE8WauSji
— Anthony Candler (@cheeseball1913) April 28, 2018
Not suprised at Gayle starting tbh
— Bafa Renitez (@goneforaburton6) April 28, 2018
Good call imo, Gayle’s running in behind was a big miss vs Everton. https://t.co/RlbNu7hlFb
— GLVDM (@GregsRants) April 28, 2018
@NUFC would love if Gayle got the goal his past few performances have deserved
— NUFC Sense (@nufcsense) April 28, 2018
Shelvey can’t really ping them to Slimani, I much prefer Gayle creating space and laying it off to others to score and Slimani coming on as a super sub
— Shay ???????? (@MagikelMikel) April 28, 2018
We're just waiting for Dwight Gayle to grab a few goals – he starts today in place of Islam Slimani. Hopefully the game to boost his confidence. #NUFC
— Andrew Musgrove (@ADMusgrove) April 28, 2018
Because Gayle and Perez are amazing
— Iain Mackenzie (@kenzie433) April 28, 2018
The two sides played out a 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns back in November, a late Jonny Evans own goal rescuing a point for Newcastle on a dire run of form which saw them pick up just the one draw from nine games, the other eight ending in defeat.
In other Newcastle United news, the club’s fans were left distraught by an ominous update posted by the Magpies.
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