Steve Bruce signing suddenly set for surprise chance under Eddie Howe?

Just as Eddie Howe’s NUFC were building momentum and brimming with confidence, we’ve been hit by a few unfortunate injuries at right-back.

Kieran Trippier could be missing for two months with a fractured metatarsal and we’re now waiting nervously to hear the extent of an ankle injury sustained by Javier Manquillo; another player who limped off on Sunday.

Craig Hope (The Mail) reports that we are hopeful Manqullo’s injury isn’t ‘too serious’, however it seems very likely that someone well down the pecking order will be called upon for upcoming clashes with West Ham, Brentford and Brighton.

Enter Emil Krafth – the Swedish international signed by Steve Bruce back in August 2019 and a player many didn’t expect to see start again this season.

The 27-year-old has rarely looked up to it at Premier League level, however he could now be handed one last chance to impress Eddie Howe over the coming weeks. After all, he seems like one of several fringe men who will be flogged this summer should he fail to take his chance; something Joelinton, Schar, Fraser and Manquillo have certainly done since the new manager came in.

For all his limitations, one thing Krafth will always give you is 100% effort. He puts his body on the line and tries his best. I’d even argue that he has looked better – the odd time we’ve seen him – since Howe came in.

Newcastle insiders fear 'significant damage' as worrying Kieran Trippier  foot injury report emerges

He was aggressive and alert after replacing Trippier on Sunday and put in his best display in a black and white shirt in his last start – a 1-1 draw with Man Utd that saw him stick to his task defensively and almost create the winner for Allan Saint-Maximin.

I know a few NUFC fans who think he’s awful – one has even called him one of the worst right-backs he’s seen at the club – but it’s important we get behind him if our worst fears are confirmed and Manquillo’s injury also keeps him out long term.

Howe may be tempted to go with a back three of Schar, Lascelles and Burn, playing Targett at LWB and one of Murphy or Fraser down the right instead. However, if it’s Krafth at right-back in a four-man defence, we can only hope he steps up and doesn’t let us down.

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

5 thoughts on “Steve Bruce signing suddenly set for surprise chance under Eddie Howe?

  1. Can’t argue about Krafth giving 100%, but his awareness and positional play is poor to say the least.
    Very very lucky not to have played Watkins onside and that type of defensive slip up is what we have seen, and has cost us all season by numerous defenders.
    Magnificent grind out of a result however, but unlike Gerard’s comments about his own team there was imo very little between the two sides and we didn’t create a lot.

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  2. The much maligned Krafth. “One of the worst right backs seen at the club” – who said this, a 15y.o.? I also remember when Danny Simpson was getting similar comments from our ‘fans’ until he tore it up elsewhere. No, the reality is that Krafth, though not a world beater, is a decent player, a Swedish international who will benefit from some of the renowned support that NUFC are famous for. No one had a good word to say about Manquillo not very long ago as I remember. We don’t have anyone else in Trippier’s absence so a little encouragement might benefit not only Krafth but also our team in the run in.

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  3. Totally agree Tony.
    Mind if we do play a back four of Schar, Lascelles, Burn and Targett I can’t see much aerial dominance from the opposition with those four in the penalty box area.

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  4. If we have Burn, Schar , Lascelles and Target as the back four, who’ s playing at RB?
    At least Krafth is a right back and stand-in CB. Play as few people out of position as possible.
    Manquillo is pretty good at RB or LB, so if fit, I would have him with Target, Burn and Schar.

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