Eddie Howe has a very big decision to make involving Dan Burn this weekend.
The 31-year-old endured a horrible afternoon last weekend, with Luton Town winger Chiedozie Ogbene running rings around the Geordie defender. He is probably still having nightmares about Ogbene and his speed.
And if he isn’t, he will have struggled to escape the criticism. Alan Shearer made a joke about Burn’s performance on Saturday night, while Jamie Carragher has admitted that he felt sorry for the left-back.
Now Newcastle are preparing to face Nottingham Forest, and Eddie Howe must decide whether to continue with Burn at left-back, or take him out of the firing line and give Tino Livramento a chance.
Most supporters want to see Tino start, but it might not be that straightforward for the decision makers at Newcastle United.
How Newcastle United staff feel about Dan Burn
That is because, according to the Telegraph, Dan Burn is extremely popular among the Newcastle coaching staff.
The Telegraph state that whenever you speak to any of them about the man from Blyth, they are always singing his praises.
That is no surprise, as Burn has been an excellent figure on Tyneside since his £13million arrival from Brighton.
Considering there was not a lot of fanfare when he joined the club, the impact he has had has been massive. Whether it is at centre-back or left-back, Burn has been crucial for Newcastle over the past couple of years.
But he is being targeted now by other teams, and his lack of speed has been exploited on various occasions like it was last weekend by Luton Town.
However, Burn does have his strengths. His height ensures that he is a commanding presence in the air, while he is also a leader.
With everything considered, it is going to be very interesting to see who Howe picks to play at left-back against Nottingham Forest. Whether he goes with Burn or Tino, it is bound to spark huge debate amongst the Toon Army.
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