Newcastle’s Jamaal Lascelles might want to rethink three-man defence stance

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Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles faces a real battle to get back into Rafa Benitez’s starting lineup.

The Magpies took on Burnley on Monday night and ran out 2-1 winners at St. James’ Park.

It was a great team performance that yielded a third straight victory to take the club 13th in the Premier League table.

Two of Newcastle’s standout performers were Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar, who have now played two-and-a-half games together at the back.

The summer signings have looked very impressive, and have definitely played their part in Newcastle’s surge up the Premier League table.

And their partnership could see Lascelles struggle to return to the starting lineup.

Lascelles’ previous tactics gripe could come back to haunt him

Earlier in the season, it was reported that Lascelles didn’t take too kindly to a tactical change Benitez was proposing.

The Spaniard was ready to experiment with a three-at-the-back system against Chelsea on August 26.

As reported by Chronicle Live, Lascelles spoke to Benitez about that decision, with a previous report from The Daily Mail claiming the pair had fallen out over the proposed change.

Lascelles ended up missing out through injury and Newcastle did indeed play with three centre-halves, with Fernandez and Schar being joined by Ciaran Clark.

With Fernandez and Schar both looking undroppable, Lascelles’ previous gripe about tactics might cost him a return to the starting lineup.

He may be the club captain, but Benitez would have to change a winning formula to get him back in – unless, of course, Lascelles would now declare himself open to marshalling a three-man defence.