‘Very surprised’… Mick Quinn left completely shocked by what Eddie Howe did against Dortmund last night

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Former Newcastle United striker Mick Quinn has admitted that he is shocked two players didn’t start against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.

The Magpies were beaten 2-0 in Germany, meaning it will now be incredibly difficult to advance to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Eddie Howe had a rather depleted team against Dortmund, with Newcastle suffering so many injuries as of late. That made the task at hand incredibly difficult, and it became even tougher when it emerged that Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon were on the bench. Instead, Howe picked Tino Livramento and Joelinton to play on the flanks.

Almiron and Gordon are Newcastle’s only fit out-and-out wingers right now, but Howe decided to keep them in reserve for the Champions League contest. The duo then came on at half time, but were unable to inspire a Toon comeback.

Howe has since stated that he did not think Gordon was fit enough to start, but Mick Quinn has questioned the decision to leave both of Newcastle’s star wingers on the bench.

Mick Quinn surprised by Eddie Howe’s Newcastle starting lineup against Dortmund

Following the 2-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, Quinn spoke to TalkSPORT. He was asked by Ally McCoist if he was surprised to see Gordon drop to the bench.

“I was, and Almiron as well,” he said (08/11/2023, 7:12am).

“I thought with their pace, I don’t know if you’ve seen the Bayern Munich-Dortmund game at the weekend, but they played a very high line Dortmund.

“Bayern Munich just ran riot with them and I thought with Gordon’s pace and with Almiron’s pace, they might get behind them and get an early goal, settle the nerves and then go on and get something there.

“I don’t know whether he was resting them or what, but very surprised I was Ally.”

Eddie Howe took a risk in the Champions League

With Almiron and Gordon on the bench, it looked like Howe was trying to stay in the game and eventually attack Dortmund in the second half.

However, Quinn believes that Newcastle should have looked to start fast after seeing Dortmund struggle at the weekend against Bayern Munich.

In truth, Dortmund did not appear to play as high a defensive line against Newcastle. The Magpies did exploit it once, with Fabian Schar playing a lofted ball through to Joelinton. However, the Brazilian’s first touch was not good enough.

It is easy to argue that Howe should have started his two best wingers, but he is dealing with a depleted squad that has another big game on the horizon on Saturday. It is vital that he manages his players’ load, which is why Gordon did not start.

Howe’s starting lineup shocked a lot of people, including Mick Quinn, but there was method to the madness. Sadly, it did not deliver any points as Newcastle face an uphill battle to remain in the Champions League beyond Christmas.