---
title: "Drop them: Benitez must axe these 2 players from today’s starting Newcastle XI against Sheffield Wednesday"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/drop-them-benitez-must-axe-these-2-players-from-todays-starting-newcastle-xi-against-sheffield-wednesday/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lee Connor"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2017-04-08T05:59:00Z"
modified: "2017-04-08T05:59:00Z"
---

# Drop them: Benitez must axe these 2 players from today’s starting Newcastle XI against Sheffield Wednesday

**Rafa Benitez has led his Newcastle team pretty well this season all things considered, and while not romping away with the league title as many expected, they still sit atop the Championship table.**

This week represents a tough game for the Magpies to cement their top two place, with a game away at playoff chasing Sheffield Wednesday.

The Toon Army here in the Tavern see this game as a tough old game to take three points from, and they have been chatting with our landlord over at the pool table about team selection, and if Benitez might ring some changes from the narrow midweek win over Burton.

We think that Benitez could well opt for a few tweaks to his line-up, so with that in mind, here are TWO Newcastle players who Benitez could look to drop from today’s XI against Sheffield Wednesday…

## Christian Atsu

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/SuperAtsu--500x328.jpg)

The winger has not exactly been a standout player for the Magpies since signing in the summer from Chelsea, and once again failed to impress against Burton.

With the likes of Sammy Ameobi and Yohann Gouffran waiting in the wings, Atsu could well find himself benched for this weekend’s encounter.

## Ayoze Perez

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/4760987-500x353.jpg)

Another forward who has not been at his best of late is Perez, and he could be one who Benitez looks to axe for this weekend’s game.

Newcastle have a host of attacking options available to them, and Perez could well find himself out of the team for the encounter with Sheffield Wednesday.