Saturday was a day to forget for everybody involved with Newcastle United as Oxford United of League Two sent them crashing out of the FA Cup in the fourth round.
Rafael Benitez gambled with his team selection, making nine changes from the side that beat Rotherham 4-0 last weekend, fielding a combination of senior fringe players and youngsters. A number of first-team regulars, including Ciaran Clark, Jonjo Shelvey and club captain Jamaal Lascelles, were absent – but Rafa’s decision was not made without good reason.
Promotion to the Premier League is Benitez’s only target this season, a target that the club cannot afford to miss out on, and the FA Cup is not deemed a priority – this season, at least.
Before Newcastle kick-off against QPR on Wednesday night, third-placed Reading could have closed the gap between themselves and the Magpies to just three points – albeit with two more games played.
Chancel Mbemba, Christian Atsu and Mo Diame are currently in Gabon, representing their countries at the African Cup of Nations, while Rolando Aarons, Vurnon Anita and top scorer Dwight Gayle are sidelined through injury. With Newcastle’s squad threadbare for the time being, could Rafa really afford to risk losing any more key first-teamers to injury with the Championship’s automatic promotion spots still to play for?
Aleksandar Mitrovic’s performance, as well as the team selection, came under scrutiny from a section of the fans.
The Serbian striker, aiming to stake a claim for a first-team spot in Gayle’s absence, squandered several clear-cut chances, including the opportunity to level from the spot shortly after the hour mark. The pressure appeared to weigh on Mitrovic’s mind, in what can be best described as a bad day at the office.
Mitrovic, a self-proclaimed Newcastle fan, won over the Geordie nation with his enthusiasm for the club and raw emotion on the pitch, but patience is starting to wear thin amongst supporters.
Lacking a real turn of pace or an ability to bring team-mates into play with an effective hold-up game synonymous with robust centre-forwards in his mould – in conjunction with his overzealous, explosive personality which, on occasion, does boil over in the wrong way – has left fans and staff alike wondering when Mitrovic will become the finished product, if ever.
Daryl Murphy, on the other hand, has grabbed his chance with both hands, stepping up and netting three times in as many games, including the match winner against Brentford.
Murphy has done enough to warrant starting ahead of Mitrovic for the time being, but writing the 22-year-old off would be a mistake. Mitrovic’s potential remains clear for all to see and he time is still on his side to realise his full potential – though the pressure is beginning to mount.
