Newcastle United fans are growing frustrated at seeing Sandro Tonali being taken off.
The 24-year-old midfielder is yet to play a full 90 minutes since his Newcastle United comeback, with Eddie Howe always opting to take him off.
That is despite the fact that Sandro Tonali is playing pretty much every minute possible when he is away on international duty with Italy.
That trend continued on Sunday, as Newcastle United lost 2-1 to Chelsea. Tonali started in midfield, but was replaced for the final 20 minutes. Sean Longstaff took his place in midfield, as Howe made a triple change in an attempt to turn the tide. Harvey Barnes and Miguel Almiron also came off, with Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy coming on.
Howe’s decision to take Tonali off was greeted by some boos from Newcastle fans, and now the Toon boss has gone into more detail as to why he made the changes that he did in the 68th minute.
Eddie Howe reflects on ‘difficult’ Sandro Tonali decision
Following Newcastle’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea, Howe spoke to the club’s official website.
He was asked why he made the triple substitution in the 68th minute that saw Tonali withdrawn.
“Just trying to make substitutions that give us fresh impetus in the game,” he said.
“I have to take someone off. I’m in a position at the minute where in order for players to come on I have to take players off.
“Every player you bring off has qualities. Harvey can score, but we want to bring on the likes of Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock.
“And also to give a freshness to the team. It’s always difficult to make those decisions.”
Newcastle United’s squad depth problem
I do have a little bit of sympathy when it comes to Howe and his substitutes, despite being frustrated by the continuous decision to take Tonali off.
The Newcastle United manager needs to use his bench to change things. The problem he has got is that the players he is bringing on are perhaps not at the same level as the ones they are replacing. Howe lacks depth, and there is a real disparity of quality throughout the Newcastle United squad.
But while it is frustrating to see Tonali get taken off, he is not playing so well that it is not justifiable. He has been part of some disappointing performances, with Newcastle yet to win a Premier League game that he has started this season.
That is not necessarily Tonali’s fault, but it is a worrying statistic.
At the moment, Howe is damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. If he didn’t make any substitutions, he would be criticised for not using his bench. When he does make substitutions, he is criticised for making the wrong substitutions.
It sums up the frustration and discontent at Newcastle United right now, as the Magpies’ summer woes continue to spill over onto the pitch.
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