Newcastle United crashed to a 2-1 defeat against Marseille in the Champions League, and Eddie Howe’s team selection choices have come under question.
There were high hopes that Newcastle could follow up the win over Man City by grabbing another three points in the Champions League. But, on a difficult night away in France, it wasn’t to be.
One of the major talking points was the decision to play Anthony Gordon up front, which fans were unhappy about. The attacker had very little impact, and was one of the most disappointing players on the night.
Who was the most DISAPPOINTING Newcastle player vs Marseille?
Eddie Howe opted to play the Englishman over the in-form Nick Woltemade. That decision may well have cost Newcastle the game, and ultimately, may lead to their failure to qualify from the group chase of the Champions League.
There’s still time to get back on track in this competition, but to do so, Howe is really going to need reinforcements in the attacking area.
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Nick Woltemade had to be rested vs Marseille
Speaking to the French press after the game, Howe was asked why he didn’t play with a traditional striker, and the Newcastle United manager had a firm response.
“We had a striker on the pitch here,” he said. “With Nick, we have to rest and rotate because physically he’s giving a lot. We need to make sure he’s fit and available, established on the line, and we have to be very careful with his load.”
Woltemade did enter the field of play around the 72-minute mark, but was unable to make a difference during his cameo. Howe was happy enough with his display, though.
He added: “Also, when he plays, I want him fresh and able to give his very best. He’s had a really intense period. He did well when he came on, though. I thought he helped our performance.”
The defeat leaves Newcastle in eighth place in the Champions League table, but with more teams to play tonight, they will slip down those standings and face a battle to qualify automatically now.
On the nature of the competition and Newcastle’s place in it, Howe said: “This competition is never going to be straightforward for us, it’s never going to be plain sailing.
“It’s the elite competition it is because you’re going to be challenged and stretched and it will make us a better team for all these experiences. Today’s a tough one to take but the lads are robust, they’re experienced and we’re ready to fight back.”
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Newcastle United’s lack of squad depth is derailing the season
Oddly, Howe said Gordon played well in the striker role, but the fact he was playing there at all is a damning indictment of Newcastle’s key problems this season.
Woltemade does need a rest, obviously. We can’t expect the big striker to perform at the top level all season for every single game, and playing him too often will only be detrimental in the long run.
But, playing Gordon up top is not the solution. The only problem is, Newcastle’s other striker, the £55m signing Yoane Wissa, is still unable to play due to injury.
Newcastle United have NEVER won a game that Anthony Gordon has started up front…
Wissa is training hard and aiming to return to action soon, but there’s a suggestion he may not be able to start a game until the New Year. That’s far from ideal, and is going to put so much pressure on Woltemade, and indeed, Gordon, too.
You can’t blame anyone for the Wissa situation, of course, but it’s incredibly frustrating. When a club spends that kind of money on a player, you’d want to see him hit the ground running. We’re still yet to see Wissa in a Newcastle shirt (apart from on the day he was announced).
With a lack of squad depth right now and a worrying injury list for Newcastle, Howe’s hands are tied. He ideally needs a handful of new signings in January to really salvage this season, but that’s unlikely to happen.
Suffice it to say, the recruitment over the summer simply wasn’t good enough, and it’s going to cost the Magpies dearly.
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