Eddie Howe admits he was ‘really pleased’ with £3m Newcastle player vs Bournemouth

Add as preferred source on Google

Eddie Howe remained positive about one of his Newcastle United players who suffered an unfortunate error against Bournemouth yesterday.

Newcastle were very unlucky to concede the first goal to Bournemouth as Martin Dubravka slipped when receiving Sven Botman’s backpass, allowing Dominic Solanke to fire into an empty net.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Howe defended the goalkeeper and claimed that he had made some ‘really good’ saves in the first half that kept Newcastle in the game, and that the slip is just something that happens.

Howe remaining upbeat after unfortunate Newcastle slip

There is an air of disappointment amongst Newcastle fans at the minute despite the last-minute equaliser from Matt Ritchie which he made sure to celebrate in style.

Newcastle knew they could have and should have done better both defensively and going forwards, though they can appreciate that they aren’t at full strength at the minute.

Having both Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson out is a huge blow and meant that Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes were having to play out of position and not able to impact the game like they normally would.

But after the two impressive first-half saves he made, it was Dubravka’s slip which ultimately led to them conceding the first, and then poor positioning from the £3m player that allowed Marcos Senesi to net the second.

On Dubravka, Howe said: “First half, he made a couple of really good saves and looked in a really good place. Unfortunately, as a goalkeeper, you slip, or something happens, and it’s highlighted by everybody. I was really pleased with him today.”

Nick Pope’s Newcastle return can’t come quick enough

The amount of goals Newcastle conceded prior to Pope’s injury and the amount they’ve conceded after it are absolutely staggering and it really makes you realise what he brings to the team.

Dubravka at times has put on great displays in terms of his shot-stopping, but he is not of the level of Pope and it is really the rest of the game which has let him and the team down so much.

In the last few months Newcastle’s defence, which was so solid last season, has been so exposed and a lot of that is due to Dubravka’s positioning as the 35-year-old rarely comes off of his line to help out his defenders.

Pope on the other hand, while he may not be brilliant with the ball at his feet, is very much a sweeper keeper and that often makes up for a lack of pace in Newcastle’s defence.

It was suggested that his return date could be around the middle of March but for Howe it can’t come soon enough as Newcastle really need to stop leaking so many goals.