Callum Wilson admits he was ‘angry’ not to start against Brentford

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Callum Wilson played a pivotal role in Newcastle United beating Brentford on Saturday, but the striker was not happy before the game.

Eddie Howe had a selection dilemma ahead of the clash with Brentford. He had the tough decision of who should start up front – Wilson or Alexander Isak.

Wilson had started against West Ham and bagged a brace, while Isak has been in sensational form himself – so much so that the 31-year-old has been forced to sit on the bench.

The England international took his chance when it came his way against West Ham, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the starting XI.

Howe decided to go with Isak against Brentford, before bringing Wilson on at half time when things weren’t going Newcastle’s way.

The two forwards combined brilliantly to score the winner, and now the £20million striker has spoke about how it felt to be left on the bench at the start of the game.

Callum Wilson was ‘frustrated’ to be on the bench

On the latest episode of the Footballer’s Football Podcast, Wilson was asked what it was like to partner Isak.

“Bittersweet, I can’t lie,” he said.

“Scored a brace in the week against West Ham and then the next minute find myself on the bench again.

“It was one of them performances where you’re angry. It’s a frustrated one. The manager makes a decision and you stand by that obviously, of course.

“But to get introduced at half time you have to stay ready at all times. You could have let yourself go when you’re not starting and not prepared properly.

“But it was just about you have 45 minutes to affect the game, go and prove why it was the wrong decision to put you on the bench today.”

Perfect response from Newcastle’s number nine

It is no surprise that Wilson was angry to being benched on Saturday. He probably felt like he deserved to start after his goals against West Ham.

But Howe went with Isak, who is probably the Magpies’ best player at the moment. The Swede struggled in the first half, but was much more influential when he was paired with Wilson after the break.

Wilson, with a point to prove, did brilliantly to set up Isak for the winner. He netted his eighth goal of the season, and it was arguably his best in a Toon shirt.

The performance from Wilson gives Howe yet another selection headache for Saturday. Does he stick with Isak? Or should he turn back to Wilson? The latter played brilliantly against Villa in the reverse fixture, and has four goal contributions in his previous three games.

It is a difficult decision for Howe, but a welcome one. And he can be safe in the knowledge that whoever he does not pick will come on with a point to prove when called upon.