Unsurprisingly, no Newcastle United players have been included in Garth Crooks’ Premier League team of the week after Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
Eddie Howe’s side were massively off the pace this weekend, with Tottenham ripping them apart at will.
It was a tough watch for Newcastle fans, who saw the same 10 outfield players start for the fifth game in a row.
Tiredness and fatigue was a problem once again, while the Magpies’ issues away from home are clear for all to see. After Sunday’s loss, the 8-0 victory over Sheffield United remains our only away win in the Premier League this season.
it was a rotten afternoon for Newcastle, whose confidence took another dent ahead of Wednesday night’s huge Champions League game against AC Milan.
One player who has really struggled over the past few days is Kieran Trippier. He made a couple of uncharacteristic mistakes against Everton, while he endured an equally as tough time on his return to Spurs.
He was up against his friend and former teammate Son Heung-Min, who ran rings around the £12million defender.
After the game, Son was very complimentary towards Trippier, but it was a different story when it came to Crooks’ team of the week for BBC Sport.
Garth Crooks comments on Kieran Trippier’s struggles against Tottenham
Garth Crooks named Son in his Premier League team of the week for BBC Sport. However, he spent the majority of this part of his column criticising Newcastle’s performances and commenting on Trippier’s struggles.
“I said at the beginning of the season Newcastle may have a little too much on their plate,” he wrote.
“Playing Champions League football and expecting to retain a top-four position in your own domestic league is about as demanding as it gets.
“Kieran Trippier, who has featured so prominently this season for the Magpies, was taken apart by Son and eventually substituted. I don’t think for one second it would have happened under normal circumstances, but this is no ordinary season for Newcastle.
“Spurs, on the other hand, can be shockingly inconsistent but brilliant when they get it right and against Newcastle they got it spot on.”
Trippier was not the only Newcastle player to struggle on Sunday
It really wasn’t a vintage performance from Trippier, but he was not the only Newcastle player who was below par on Sunday afternoon.
There weren’t many Toon players who came out of the game with much credit, as Spurs ran riot.
But there is no need to panic. Context is everything, and this game was the latest example of how our injury crisis has crippled us. Yes, tiredness should not be used as an excuse, but these players are being asked to give so much for 90 minutes in huge games pretty much every three days.
And there is another huge game on the horizon, with AC Milan heading to Tyneside. If Newcastle win, they have a chance of advancing to the next round of the Champions League. If they lose, they’re out.
While Sunday’s defeat was disappointing, all Newcastle can do is go again. That includes Trippier, who was outstanding when we played against Milan in Italy.
He will need to be just as solid at St James’ Park, before he gets a well deserved rest. That is because Trippier will be suspended for Saturday’s Premier League game against Fulham after picking up his fifth booking of the season versus Spurs.
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