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Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

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Newcastle fans laud Isaac Hayden after Leeds display

Ally Darlow
Ally Darlow

Newcastle United doubled their Premier League points tally last night.

They drew 1-1 with Leeds United at St. James’ Park to earn their second point of the season in a promising performance.

One of the players that the fans were impressed with on the day was Isaac Hayden.

The Newcastle midfielder has been used as both a central midfield option and a centre-back this season by Steve Bruce.

Against Leeds, he started in defence before moving into midfield.

It was that move that plenty of the supporters loved too.

They want to see their team getting the opportunity to go forward more often in a more attacking formation.

That’s where they’ve been calling for a 4-3-3 to be used.

However, Bruce, up until yesterday, had been wedded to his negative 5-4-1 system.

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It’s an easy enough fix for the club.

With Hayden pushing up into midfield he can help the side get onto the front foot quicker.

Should the former Arsenal man be deployed in midfield it would free up those ahead of him.

Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff would be able to play with more freedom if Hayden was anchoring the midfield behind them.

Newcastle certainly have to find some balance.

The Geordies can’t seem to be able to both score goals and remain tight at the back at the same time.

Many will blame Bruce for that but he’s certainly trying.

A tactical switch could help his cause, though, if Hayden is to move.

Next time out the Magpies face Watford away in the league.

That could provide a chance to test a 4-3-3 system with Hayden in the middle of the park.

Hopefully, that system will get Newcastle’s first win of the season.

You can read the Geordies’ thoughts on Hayden here: