One of Eddie Howe’s former players claims the Newcastle United manager’s gamble did not work

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Newcastle United have it all to do on the final day.

Indeed, Newcastle United must beat Everton in the Premier League finale if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

While Eddie Howe’s side will be favourites to do exactly that, it will be nervy after Newcastle lost 1-0 to Arsenal thanks to Declan Rice’s long-range goal.

It was a frustrating day at the office for the Newcastle United manager. Howe saw his side dominate the first half, but they were blown away after the break at the Emirates Stadium.  

Howe does not have many options right now, either. Alexander Isak missed Newcastle’s game against Arsenal with a thigh injury, while the likes of Kieran Trippier and Joelinton were also forced to sit it out.

As such, he had a depleted Newcastle United squad to take to north London. Still, one pundit thinks a selection gamble backfired.

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Eddie Howe told Newcastle United gamble didn’t work out  

Just after the hour mark, Howe turned to his bench.

The injuries and a lack of new signings in recent windows meant the Toon boss did not have the strongest bench on offer. 

He took Callum Wilson, Sven Botman and Jacob Murphy off and replaced them with William Osula, Emil Krafth and Lewis Miley respectively.

While on punditry duty for BBC Radio Five Live, former Crystal Palace and Brighton striker Glenn Murray, who played under Howe at Bournemouth, said: “The substitutions from Eddie Howe have not had the impact that Eddie Howe intended.”

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That feels a little harsh. Osula arguably did more than Wilson during his brief cameo and it’s not as if Howe had a wealth of options. 

Howe has been nominated for the Premier League’s Manager of the Year Award for a reason. He’s had to battle through this season without any new signings and, having already won the Carabao Cup, has clearly done so successfully.  

Next week’s game against Everton is going to be a nervy affair. At home, however, Newcastle have to be favourites.

The injuries are starting to cost Newcastle, but they are one win away from finishing what has already been a historic season off in style.