Eddie Howe believes Newcastle missed chances to take the game “by the scruff of the neck” in our 2-2 draw with Bournemouth but refused to be overly critical of Dan Burn.
He’s also revealed that Fabian Schar is in pain from the ball striking his wrist, hoping the injury “isn’t too serious” after recently losing Callum Wilson for 9-12 weeks.
Reacting to the draw at St James’ Park, Howe said: “Mixed emotions – very similar to Luton. Really pleased we have come back to get something from the game, especially so late – and credit to the players for doing so. We did have opportunities to take the game by the scruff of the neck but didn’t take them.
“We’re not at full power or at our best at the moment. We’re a little disjointed. But everyone is giving as much as they can to get results. We have to look at the positives.
“It’s another game unbeaten. It was a big late goal for us. It’s the most important quality to never know when you’re beaten. Matt Ritchie epitomises that for everybody.”
The boss then took questions on another tough afternoon for Dan Burn at left-back, addressed photos of Fabian Schar leaving the field in pain at full-time, discussed Harvey Barnes’ first start for several months and Matt Ritchie’s equaliser.
Howe on Burn – “I am not dealing with that kind of thought in my mind. It is not about finding someone to blame it is about finding solutions. And that’s what I’ll do with my work. I can sit here all night and talk about the value of everybody’s performance, mine included, and pick holes in it.
“But for me the job has always been about finding solutions. That second goal would not have come from one individuals mistake. I’m telling you now it will come from three or four people’s individual mistakes. People may highlight one person but in my job you can’t do that.”
Howe on Schar – “This was a ball hitting his arm. The ball was struck and it maybe hit his wrist or something. We hope it’s not too serious. We could do without another injury.”
Howe on Barnes – “Really pleased to have Harvey back. He’s probably not a hundred per cent fit but was fit enough to start, and has also done well from the bench. I’m delighted with his performance.”
Howe on Ritchie – “Delighted for Matty. Honestly, behind the scenes he’s been incredible for us. He’s a real mentor for the young players, he gives his experience and thinks of the team every day. Very unselfish in how he’s helped everybody & trains to his absolute maximum.”
Howe is becoming a worry unless he has a plan B for matches with regards to changing formation when things are going wrong, and recognising when a player or players weaknesses are being exposed by the opposition and not doing, or refusing to do anything about it we will never win anything with him in charge.
I thought he had learned from his experience at Bournemouth when he looked devoid of ideas when they were relegated, but it seems not.
Apart from Miley the midfield lacked energy and direction, Almiron was at his frustrating best, Burn wasn’t great again, and although Dubravka messed up today he had already saved us twice in the first half and you have to ask questions of the whole team as to why the goalkeeper has had to make so many saves and why so many goals have been conceded since Pope’s absence.
When we had no centre forward or target up front today could we have tried Schar or Burn or Lascelles up front to see how it went in the second half as we got no joy whatsoever in the first half…it’s called thinking outside the box.
Joseph(Quote)
Joseph – you were doing so well but a CB up front??? What on earth are you talking about?!?!!!.
I’d take 3 CBs with wingbacks, I’d take switching to 4-4-2 but Lascelles as a CF – he’d be laughed out of Newcastle man.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy17
When you have no recognised CF and Almiron running around like a headless chicken a bull in a china shop at CB @ CF would at least make things uncomfortable for defenders and perhaps create something.
A certain left back Malcolm McDonald was tried at CF and look what happened.
A CF Joelinton was tried in midfield and was transformed.
So not as daft as you think and each of those mentioned have scored and pose a threat probably more so than Almiron at the moment.
Joseph(Quote)
Joseph – putting them up for the last 5 mins of a game we’re trying to win I’ll take, but Dan Burn is no Malcolm McDonald.
I don’t disagree about Almiron. He should have went with Murphy imo. I know he hasn’t trained all week but a one legged Murphy is more effective. Ritchie did more in the few minutes he had.
He could play 3 CBs and go 3-4-1-2
———————- Dub ——————-
— Lascelles – Schar – Botman —
Trippier —Miley — Staffs — Tino
—————-— Bruno —————
—— Gordon ———- Barnes ——-
Similar to yesterday but different roles. The CBs take care of defending allowing Trips & Tino to get up & provide that width – pushing Gordon & Barnes more central. Bruno plays higher to provide that support & 3 CBs is more of a threat in set pieces.
When Willock is back he’d go Bruno & Bruno drop to replace Staffs who’s out.
Sharpy17(Quote)
so eddy is telling us that its not burns fault for the second goal but tree or four others or more at our group of players i never heard that much bullshit .even klopp co uldnt make that one up burn will get a good day out at arsenal
rintintin(Quote)
Sharpy17
I more or less agree with what your saying, Dan Burn is no Mc Donald (but would do less damage up front than where he is playing at LB , and offer a target up front in the
emergency situation we have) but in Schar we have a player who is well capable of giving a defence problems in the short term if played up front in an emergency.
Howe is entrenched in 433, has his undroppable favs, hence I have advocated your line up in our present situation for some time.
I totally agree that the veteran Ritchie even with his lack of pace put more dangerous crosses into the box than Almiron did all game.
Joseph(Quote)