Eddie Howe has hit out at suggestions Newcastle’s season is over after our FA Cup exit at Manchester City, calling those claims “absolute nonsense” with so much to play for in the Premier League.
It was a tough watch last night, as we were ultimately outclassed by a City side that didn’t need to get out of second gear, but I can’t understand claims on social media that our campaign is now a write off when we’re just three points from 7th; which could secure Europa League or Europa Conference League football dependant on the UEFA coefficients.
“There is a huge amount to play for. If people say our season is over, that’s absolute nonsense as far as I’m concerned.” Howe said.
“We’re driving forward to try and get our best form back first and foremost. and try and win as many games as we can. We want to finish the season in a positive way because we’ll take that feeling into next year as well.
He may be right, but I think he has a big job persuading the players who seem to have forgotten that ‘Intensity is their indentity’
PremAndUp(Quote)
5 3 2 system with Dan Burn as a wing back, give me strength!
He is a Central Defender for heavens sake, can understand Jacob Murphy as a wing back with Trippier and Livramento out.
Burn, and it not his fault, has been played out of position for nearly two seasons.
Howe does like players to be versatile but that is stretching it a bit.
IMO you need specialist players playing in the positions they are used to.
We have some in (Trippier,Livramento), Gordon, (Pope,Dubravka), Isak, Bruno, Schar and (Botman, Burn)who could possibly be the spine of the team who at least know what they are doing when played correctly. Joelinton, Tonali and Willock also available.
Ritchie, Dummet, Murphy, Longstaff, Almiron, Wilson are just not up to it for a variety of reasons.
There have been injuries but we need a defensive midfielder badly and Newcastle need to play with players comfortable in what they do to get the best out of them.
That is where Howe and the coaching staff have not always been up to the task, we will not win a sausage with versatile players alone.
Hall and Miley the future.
It is hardly surprising that apart from the odd blip, that spine of the team usually get scored higher in games when played in their correct positions
Joseph(Quote)