Eddie Howe must drop £35m Newcastle player on Tuesday after ‘awful’ performance

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Newcastle United have spent huge money since the change of ownership, and Tuesday should see one of Eddie Howe’s most expensive signings drop to the bench.

The Magpies head to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup. It is an absolutely massive game for Eddie Howe, who has described it as the biggest of the season.

That is why he will go full strength on Tuesday night, with the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier almost certainly starting.

However, it is unclear if another one of Newcastle United’s regulars should be named in the starting XI.

Sven Botman struggling for Newcastle United

Sven Botman is usually so reliable for Newcastle, but he was dreadful against Arsenal on Saturday night. Even if you ignore his own goal, it was a rotten display from the £35million man.

His performance was described as ‘awful’ by pundit Don Hutchison, and that certainly was the case. The Dutchman was miles off the pace, and continuously made uncharacteristic errors.

In truth, he is yet to really get back to his proper best since that knee injury. Botman has had to play a lot of football since his comeback, and it feels like it is now catching up with him.

Jamaal Lascelles should start in his place vs Blackburn

And that is why Howe should tinker with his defence and bring Jamaal Lascelles in to the side.

The captain has played a lot of football this season, and was the player who Howe turned to during Botman’s absence. Lascelles proved a lot of people wrong during that spell, and displayed noticeable improvement after so long out of the side.

Nowadays, there is less fear when Lascelles has to play. And that is why he should start at Ewood Park on Tuesday night.

Botman is clearly struggling for form, and could probably do with the rest given the injury he sustained earlier this season. Lascelles is a more than adequate replacement, and this is certainly a change Howe should consider ahead of what is being billed as the Magpies’ biggest game of the season.