Newcastle United fans seemed to make their feelings about Nick Pope clear during the FA Cup defeat to Brighton.
Things couldn’t have gone much worse for Newcastle United during Sunday’s FA Cup tie with Brighton, as they crashed out of the tournament after losing 2-1 despite going ahead.
Worse than the result, though, is that Anthony Gordon was sent off for a petulant shove, Alexander Isak and Keiran Trippier limped off injured and Lewis Hall didn’t even play because of his own fitness issue.
It has put Eddie Howe in a desperate situation less than two weeks ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, with the manager facing the possibility of being without several of his most important players.
Howe won’t have many selection decisions to make at Wembley if so many of his squad are unavailable but he will have one big call in goal between Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope.
Newcastle supporters appeared to show who they think should start during Sunday’s game at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle fans show their support to Martin Dubravka
During the first half of the match, just before Isak gave Newcastle the lead from the spot, there was a break in the action as a player received treatment.
It was at this moment when Newcastle fans, unprompted by a great save or commanding catch, began to chant Dubravka’s name.
Journalist Mark Douglas shared the observation on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Fans chanting Martin Dubravka’s name during a break in play.
“Him starting today feels significant. Edged ahead of Pope to play in a fortnight’s time….”
There was little Dubravka could do about Yankuba Minteh’s deflected leveller later in the game, but it was his skewed clearance that surrendered possession back to Brighton so that Danny Welbeck could score the winner.
Even if there was plenty of time for Newcastle to stop the move and Tino Livramento poorly played Welbeck onside, it was a mistake that could count against Dubravka ahead of Wembley.
Martin Dubravka or Nick Pope – Who should start in the Carabao Cup final?
Howe has drawn ire from supporters after putting Pope back into the starting XI after his injury despite Dubravka’s good form this season.
The Slovakian stepped up when Pope was injured for a long period and was the man in goal during Newcastle’s winning streak. He also has double the number of clean sheets despite playing fewer games.
Dubravka even turned down a big-money move to Saudi Arabia in January in order to extend his contract with the club by a year.
Yet, Pope was reinstated to the team for the last two Premier League fixtures, despite not earning a spot or Dubravka doing little to lose his, and didn’t perform very well.
Against both Nottingham Forest and Liverpool he made costly mistakes as opponents scored, was shaky in possession and did not marshal his box.
Perhaps he was just rusty after a long stint on the sidelines but his lack of confidence permeated throughout the side. If your foundation isn’t solid, then the whole house will shake.
Dubravka not only deserves to play in the final but he’s the better option given he is playing with more belief and is in better form.
Either way – with growing rumours surrounding Burnley’s James Trafford – Newcastle should look to sign a goalkeeper in the summer transfer window.
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