Newcastle United remain lax defensively.
Indeed, the problems are such that Eddie Howe again confirmed he was worried about the ease with which his backline is constantly breached following Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal.
Newcastle, after all, had the joint-best defence in the Premier League last season. Now, however, only Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and the bottom three have conceded more often than Howe’s side (45).
Saturday’s loss to Arsenal was a particularly difficult evening for one Sven Botman. It was he who scored the own goal that set the Gunners on their way.
While there is usually an element of misfortune when it comes to putting through your own net, Botman’s general performance at the Emirates Stadium was labelled “awful” by pundit Don Hutchinson.
Still, Howe does not want too much focus paid to the £35m star. After all, he was hardly the only player not to have covered himself in glory in north London.
Sven Botman: Eddie Howe defends Newcastle star
Speaking ahead of the trip to Blackburn in the FA Cup on Tuesday night, Howe said (via The Chronicle): “There should be no focus on Sven, the focus should be on the team.
“There was no one individual that let us down, we all weren’t at our best against Arsenal. When you’re not at your best against the very best sides, you get punished.”
Sven Botman: Newcastle star underperforming
It must be noted of course that Botman suffered a serious injury earlier this season, one he confirmed he kept playing through as he didn’t initially notice it.
So good during his first year as a Newcastle player, the club see a bright future for him and there is little to suggest his loss of form is anything other than a young player returning to full fitness.
It’s not all been bad of course, with Howe delighted with Botman in recent weeks.
Still, even the most ardent Botman fan would surely admit things have dropped off this season. With Jamaal Lascelles fit again, perhaps affording him a rest would be wise.
At some point, we will see the best of Botman again.
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