After three consecutive defeats at the hands of Everton, West Brom and Arsenal in the Premier League, Steve McClaren’s attention has now been turned to the FA Cup.

Newcastle will travel to Vicarage Road to take on high-flying Watford in what will be the two sides’ second meeting of the season – check out William Hill for the best odds on this match.

Much talk has surrounded the possible team McClaren will field against a Watford side that will more than likely rest a few players.

The under-fire United head coach has said the following to the Chronicle regarding team selection:

Tomorrow will be the strongest team we will be able to put out without taking risk.

It’s hard to predict what lineup McClaren will eventually go for, but I can’t foresee more than three changes to the side that narrowly lost to Arsenal last week.

With that being said, I’ve put together what team I’d like to see play against the Hornets on Saturday. The formation is a 4-2-3-1.

Mbabu comes in for Dummett, as I’d like to see more of the Swiss defender. Some may say he is a right-back, but Mbabu provides more of an attacking threat than Dummett does down the left-hand side, as he showcased against Chelsea.

The only other change is Thauvin on the left-flank, with Ayoze replacing Mitrovic up top. The French winger has been very enthusiastic and expressive in recent substitute appearances.

Ayoze is very, very clever when he receives the ball and I feel he’d look to run in behind Watford’s defence, posing a more potent attacking threat.

As well as that, the regular oncoming runs of Wijnaldum and Sissoko would have the benefit of Ayoze’s dazzling control and deft passing awareness.

During the game, if this team was used, Tiote would drop into a more deeper role, which would see Colback and Wijnaldum come together in the centre of the park.

As the always insightful @NUFCTactics intriguingly points out, when in possession of the ball, the Magpies adopt an irregular 3-4-2-1 formation, with Tiote coming in between the centre-back duo of Mbemba and Coloccini.

At times, Paul Dummett’s lack of attacking knowledge forces Newcastle to predictably attack down the right-hand side, but if Mbabu and Thauvin come in, perhaps we could see a more balanced style of attacking that focuses on both flanks.

Do you agree with this XI? Send us in yours on our Twitter page – @NUFC360.