Theo Walcott says Eddie Howe is suddenly in a ‘difficult’ place as Newcastle United manager

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Eddie Howe is facing a huge test at Newcastle United according to Theo Walcott.

The Newcastle United manager has overseen an interesting start to the season. The Magpies are yet to really burst into life, but they have proven to be incredibly difficult to beat.

The Newcastle United squad looks stronger than ever, with Howe determined to prove that is the case. He made seven changes for the draw against Bournemouth, as he attempts to keep his side fresh and compete on multiple fronts.

That is something Howe failed to do during Newcastle’s last Champions League adventure, and he is eager not to repeat history.

In the eyes of Theo Walcott, that could force the Toon boss to make some very ‘difficult’ decisions.

Theo Walcott wonders if Eddie Howe is the ‘right manager’ to make difficult decisions at Newcastle United

Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Walcott has questioned whether Howe is the ‘right manager’ to leave big names out of the Newcastle United starting XI this season.

“This is going to test Eddie Howe’s management of a bigger squad,” he said.

“I feel at times he is going to have to make a really difficult decision and leave someone out in big games. I think he is going to focus more on the Champions League, but is he the right manager to make that hard, tough decision when a player you expect to start won’t start quite regularly.

“The connections in the forward line are important. If you consistently change it, it’s a problem for the forward line. It’s a difficult place to be.”

Eddie Howe has already proven Theo Walcott wrong

Newcastle United have played six games so far this season, and already Howe has made difficult decisions.

His most recent saw Bruno Guimaraes sit on the bench at the Vitality Stadium. That came as a shock, given how important the Brazilian is and how reliant Newcastle are on him.

While the Magpies did not win without Bruno, they certainly looked comfortable. Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley were strong in midfield, justifying Howe’s decision to rest his skipper.

Elsewhere, Anthony Elanga is not starting every week. He is one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings at £55million, yet has spent a lot of time on the bench since arriving from Nottingham Forest.

Howe is not being swayed by a player’s price tag. He continues to pick what he believes is the best team for each specific game, while also being mindful of what is on the horizon.

As Walcott says, it will be difficult for Howe to manage his squad, and it will become even more challenging when Yoane Wissa and Jacob Ramsey are fit. But the Toon boss is more than capable of handling that challenge, as he has already proven this season.