Eddie Howe has a big question to answer today against Everton, and we’ll be watching his team selection with keen interest.
Everton pose a tough test for Newcastle United, especially given the Magpies’ dire away form this season. It’s an issue Howe needs to fix as soon as possible, but that’s not the only conundrum on his plate.
Those wanting Nick Pope dropped against Everton may now have their answer. Is Eddie Howe playing with fire here?
“Nick is a top class professional and an outstanding goalkeeper. We certainly back him. He has made a number of brilliant saves for us this season.”
Eddie Howe on Nick Pope before Everton vs Newcastle United
After the defeat to Marseille in midweek, serious questions have been asked about a number of Newcastle players. The French press criticised Newcastle for their performance, but there’s no denying it was Nick Pope who stood out as the main culprit for that loss.
The Newcastle goalkeeper’s crazy decision to rush out of goal and let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang round him for Marseille’s first goal led to Pope being lambasted by fans and pundits alike. So, will Howe stick with his number one or relegate him to the bench?
- READ MORE: One of the world’s elite does his best Nick Pope impression 24 hours after Champions League blunder
Eddie Howe will keep faith in Nick Pope
It’s thought Howe will keep faith in Pope for the Everton game, with the Newcastle United manager making efforts to remind everyone how well the goalkeeper played against Man City before his disaster in Marseille.
Indeed, in our predicted Newcastle United XI, we back Pope to stay between the sticks despite his error on Tuesday night.
Alan Shearer can’t quite put his finger on Newcastle United’s away form 🤔
“Away from home Newcastle have really disappointed. I think that’s the conundrum they’ve added. Their home form is excellent. But I’ve said before about when you’re being rolled in front of your own fans at home, it’s difficult, you can’t give anything but 100%. When you drop a fraction in football, we know the differences that can make.
“Obviously they have made too many errors away from home, that’s one of the reasons why they haven’t had the results and have been really poor. That has to change if they’re going to start and climb the table. We’ve seen what they’re capable of last week against Manchester City.
“Now, they need to put that in again, just because it’s against Everton and it’s away from home shouldn’t make any difference. So, I’d be looking for them to replicate the energy that they showed, and everything else about their performance against Man City, and we need to see that away from home as well.”
Alan Shearer on Newcastle United’s away form
To be honest, it makes perfect sense. Howe is always pushing the idea of togetherness, patience, and instilling confidence in his players, and the pile-on against Pope will not have been to his liking.
Howe is a very loyal manager, and he will also know that dropping the 33-year-old right now would be a crushing blow from which he may never recover.
Obviously, Aaron Ramsdale could take over from Pope. But, for the sake of consistency, Howe may want to give Pope one more chance.
It’s worth remembering Ramsdale is not a Newcastle United player, and putting him in the number one slot now would only be a temporary fix unless the Magpies intend to sign him permanently.
- READ MORE: Newcastle United transfer round-up: Joe Willock exit, Conor Gallagher latest, Nick Pope replacements
Goalkeepers Newcastle United should target for long-term
A more rational solution in the long run is for Newcastle to sign a new goalkeeper and replace Pope for the future. There are talks around that behind the scenes, and we have a few ideas who Newcastle could sign.
The obvious choice is James Trafford, who has struggled at Man City after joining in the summer. He will surely move on and he would be perfect for Newcastle in striking a good balance between long-term value and ready-made experience.
The Magpies could also shop in the Championship and pick up a relative bargain in Sheffield Wednesday stopper Pierce Charles. With the Owls in financial turmoil, the young goalkeeper would be available for far less than Trafford, but still presents an exciting prospect for years to come.
On the other side of Sheffield there is Michael Cooper, who has been one of the best goalkeepers in the second tier over the last two years. He, too, would be available for a fraction of the price of Trafford.
Outside of England, Newcastle have been watching Guillaume Restes. The Toulouse goalkeeper has impressed in Ligue 1 this season and the 20-year-old already has three seasons of top flight experience under his belt.
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