Eddie Howe has now explained his tactical tweak as Newcastle United averted from their usual system against Manchester City.
Newcastle were dumped out of the FA Cup after a comfortable victory from the treble winners, but Howe had tried something different as he opted for a back five rather than his usual 4-3-3 for the game.
Speaking after the game, Howe explained how he thought that he ‘tried to be creative’ and thought that having two up top would give Newcastle a better platform to attack from.
Howe’s tactical tweak fails for Newcastle
It’s difficult to remember the last time Howe set Newcastle up in a different formation that wasn’t his usual 4-3-3 – perhaps one of the games in pre-season where they had experimented against Premier League opposition.
It’s harsh to say that the change of system failed for Howe and Newcastle as they were up against elite opponents yesterday and it’s likely that they still would have lost regardless of what formation they played.
That said, it was still Newcastle’s worst attacking performance for almost a decade with the team registering just two shots on goal, although they should have certainly got more away they just never pulled the trigger.
Fans were also confused as to why Dan Burn had kept his place in the team at left wing-back, a position which seemed obvious that he was going to struggle in, and ultimately that is where City’s two goals came from.
Alexander Isak had a couple of chances which he wasted, but other than that it will have certainly given Howe a lot to think about regarding whether or not he returns to that system next year, if he’s still at Newcastle.
On his change of system, Howe said: “We tried to just give them a different problem. We’ve played against them a lot this season already and we tried to be creative with our team selection. Always with an eye on both phases of defending and attacking.
“We felt that two strikers could give us a better platform to attack and I do think there were high points within that I don’t think it was all negative.
“Alex’s chance is a big moment which we were unfortunate not to take, but overall we weren’t good enough.”
Newcastle will go back to what they know best
After the international break, Newcastle will head home to St James’ Park to face West Ham in a key battle for the race for Europe – a win could see them leapfrog the Hammers into seventh.
For this game, Howe is sure to revert back to what he knows best and play his usual high intensity and high pressing style of football, especially with Newcastle being back at home and needing to make a statement.
Another defeat there wouldn’t exactly be disastrous, that’s perhaps too strong of a word, but it would definitely be a disappointment and extinguish any remaining hope for what’s left of the season.
Pressure is already mounting on Howe from his own fans which is something he’s largely had the backing of this whole time, so it’s important both for him and the team that they come away with all three points in two weeks time.
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