Bruce ready to move into a back four against Tottenham
Steve Bruce is ready to shake things up against Tottenham and switch into a flat back four.
According to the Telegraph, Bruce could scrap the 3-5-2 system that the club worked heavily on during pre-season after just two league games.
Many have called for Bruce to move back into a more natural back four as the Magpies chase some defensive solidarity, but will it be enough to turn things around?
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Tottenham have started the new season well, so regardless of how Newcastle line up on Sunday, it will be a huge ask for them to come away with any form of result.
Given the tough start to the campaign that Newcastle have made, Tottenham will head into the game in high spirits.
On paper, a flat-back four would give Newcastle more cohesion and solidity at the back, something they did not have against Norwich at Carrow Road.
It will allow players like Matt Ritchie to play further up the pitch in a more advanced role, where he can hopefully utilise the best of his threat in the final third.
While Paul Dummett would be expected to revert into a more natural left-back role.
The pressure is certainly on Bruce already to make these big calls and it could be defining one early on in his Newcastle spell.