Jacob Murphy didn’t have his best performance for Newcastle United against Bournemouth.
Bournemouth made easy work of Newcastle United on Saturday. A hat-trick from Justin Kluivert and a late goal from Milos Kerkez saw them cruise to a 4-1 win at St James’ Park to snap the Magpies’ nine-game winning streak.
Newcastle Legend Alan Shearer called Bournemouth’s performance “tactically superb” on social media. They barely put a foot wrong all game. The same can’t be said for Eddie Howe’s side who looked down and out as the fourth goal went in.
Performances were slack all across the pitch. Joe Cole said Lewis Hall “looked off” before being taken off six minutes after the hour.
At one point Anthony Gordon berated the Newcastle defenders for needlessly losing the ball during their build-up play. And to compile the misery, Joelinton was booked for an eighth time. The Brazilian is now nearing a two-match ban as a result of it.
Jacob Murphy was taken off for Joe Willock just after the hour mark. His fine form from December looks to have gone out the window. The 29-year-old has now failed to register a goal involvement in the last four Premier League games.
Before his substitution, Murphy went down with an apparent calf problem. Much to the concern of the Newcastle bench. Howe has now commented on why Murphy was taken off amid fresh injury concerns.
Howe confirmed it was just a tactical decision he made, albeit one that didn’t work. But it just goes to show what the worst possible outcome would be if that position does suffer an injury.
Eddie Howe needs to demand a new winger for Newcastle
Newcastle’s transfer business has been pretty poor in recent windows. Fans are bound to be growing restless by the lack of signings being made for Newcastle’s squad.
There were fresh injury concerns earlier in the week when Howe confirmed Harvey Barnes will miss a month of action due to a thigh strain.
Now, Miguel Almiron is about to leave Newcastle for Atlanta United. It leaves just Murphy as Newcastle’s only option on the right side of attack. Howe won’t want to move Gordon from his position considering his form has been fantastic in recent weeks either.
When Murphy was taken off, Howe moved Joelinton into right wing, a position he has only played in once this season. Coincidentally, it was in Newcastle’s last defeat at St James’ Park before Bournemouth where they were beaten 2-0 by West Ham.
Newcastle’s sporting director Paul Mitchell hasn’t had the best of starts to life on Tyneside. He was left embarrassed after Newcastle failed to sign Marc Guehi in the summer. Now, it looks like the Magpies are going to go another window without making a senior signing.
Howe needs to be adamant and really push for a new winger. He made it the club’s priority to strengthen that position in January, but nothing has come from it yet. Newcastle will pick up £10million from the Almiron sale, Howe needs to make a case for why they should spend it now.
Newcastle could still sign their “dream” winger
The Magpies will need to add their squad sooner or later. Howe should go big or go home with the winger he gets.
Newcastle want Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo who is having a fantastic season for the Bees. The Cameroonian has scored 13 goals in the Premier League from the right wing this season – completely trumping Murphy’s tally.
The Magpies consider Mbeumo their “dream” signing, but he’ll come at a price. Mbeumo will cost Newcastle upwards of £60m in January, a fee they may not be able to afford without more sales.
Newcastle are still on for a spot in Europe next season. They’d have a great chance of a return to the Champions League if they signed Mbeumo.
Toon fans got a glimpse of what the 25-year-old can do in Newcastle’s defeat at Brentford in December. Mbeumo scored and bagged an assist to help his side to a 4-2 win.
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