---
title: "Newcastle need to give strikers a chance"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2016/03/24/newcastle-need-give-strikers-chance/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Brad Petre"
section: "Matchday"
published: "2016-03-24T15:09:46Z"
modified: "2016-04-01T22:22:49Z"
---

# Newcastle need to give strikers a chance

Newcastle and Sunderland’s chances of staying up after a share of the spoils in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby are in serious trouble, according to [Don Hutchinson of the Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-need-give-aleksandar-11075526). The game was everything he expected it to be – fast, frantic and fearless. Sunderland probably did edge the match over 90 minutes but Newcastle will be happier with the point.

If everyone thought that was a big game then the game at Carrow Road is even bigger, Rafa and the players need to go there and get a result if we have any hope of staying up. Both Newcastle and Sunderland going down would be ‘scandalous’ according to Don and he’s right – two clubs with great support and great stadiums to fill.

![Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnewcastle.com/readnewcastle/sites/20/2016/03/516670830.jpg)

Don struggles to understand why Newcastle haven’t persisted with a formation that accommodates two strikers and he believes getting crosses into the box, through the pace of Townsend and Sissoko, will hopefully produce more goals for Mitrovic. A partnership between Mitrovic and Cisse is worth trying in his opinion within a 4-4-2 formation, also hoping a returning Cheick Tiote will add cover to the defensive line.

Where do you think Newcastle and Sunderland will finish this season?