Eddie Howe is now 190 games into his tenure in the Newcastle United hot seat with only Marco Silva, Mikel Arteta, and Pep Guardiola being in their respective Premier League jobs for longer than the Magpies boss.
Yet, the 47-year-old – despite being such a long-standing fixture at St James’ Park – isn’t above criticism, with only three wins collected so far this season in league action troubling his once rock-solid grip on the Toon job.
Indeed, away from Nick Woltemade lighting up the Premier League already as a £69m summer recruit, with four top-flight strikes next to his name, the majority of the Magpies starting XI right now feels stale and in need of a refresh.
Even Howe could be viewed as a rusty figure, with the under-fire manager now left with plenty of time to think about what immediate changes he needs to make to ensure his Newcastle team is a force to be reckoned with again, as the international break is now in play.
The biggest selection dilemmas facing Eddie Howe at Newcastle
Not even the likes of Sandro Tonali were safe from his manager’s wrath against the Bees, with the usually lively and energetic Italian only winning one meagre duel last time out, as Newcastle collapsed to a 3-1 defeat on the road.
He does, however, have some significant credit in the bank by starring more often than not across the entire campaign to date, with Tonali even being branded as an “absolute joke” of a talent by journalist Andy Sixsmith, when picking up an assist in the Toon’s recent EFL Cup success over Tottenham Hotspur.
On the other hand, Tonali’s common midfield partner in Joelinton could find himself more at risk of the first-team chop shortly, with his poor showings extending far past his 24-minute run-out against Brentford.
Indeed, the Brazilian epitomised Newcastle’s “leggy” showing against West Ham United – as it was branded by Tyneside great Alan Shearer – when winning just two of his ground duels, as Lucas Paqueta stole the midfield show for the Hammers, instead.
With no goals and assists also next to his name in the Premier League this season, Howe could be tempted to throw in the likes of Jacob Ramsey in his place.
There could also be a great deal of change at the back. While Malick Thiaw has been serenaded as their player of the season so far, his colleagues in the backline haven’t been much of a help.
Indeed, it was Sven Botman’s ball-watching that led to Igor Thiago’s second goal on Sunday and it was Dan Burn’s red card that turned the tide for the hosts beforehand. Nick Pope also failed to cover himself in much glory for Kevin Schade’s equaliser.
Newcastle’s defensive duo must never play together again
Howe has become too comfortable selecting the same faces week in, week out, with the 47-year-old very much set in his old ways, having been at St James’ Park for so long now.
Still, with the emergence of Woltemade from Stuttgart this summer, and Thiaw, who has barely put a foot wrong in the main Newcastle XI since joining from AC Milan, the time could be right for Howe to start ditching figures he once heavily relied on.
Both Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier will be worried that they will be victims of this approach.
|
Trippier & Burn vs Brentford |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat |
Trippier |
Burn |
|
Minutes played |
90 |
73 |
|
Goals scored |
0 |
0 |
|
Assists |
0 |
0 |
|
Touches |
81 |
61 |
|
Accurate passes |
47/59 (80%) |
20/32 (68%) |
|
Accurate crosses |
0/5 |
0/1 |
|
Possession lost |
19x |
18x |
|
Tackles won |
1/1 |
1/2 |
|
Interceptions |
0 |
0 |
|
Clearances |
2 |
11 |
|
Blocked shots |
1 |
1 |
|
Ball recoveries |
7 |
1 |
|
Total duels won |
4/11 |
8/17 |
|
Stats by Sofascore |
||
It’s strange to think that in the Champions League that both the ageing defenders combined for Newcastle’s opener against Athletic Club, as the 6-foot-7 warrior headed home a perfect free-kick delivery from the ex-Atletico Madrid full-back.
But, when watching them together back in the Premier League against Keith Andrews’ Bees, it’s clear that this is a full-back partnership that cannot continue in the bread and butter of domestic action, with both Trippier and Burn combined giving possession away a costly 37 times in West London.
Moreover, before Burn piled on the Magpies’ misery by being sent off, both Newcastle veterans also failed to register a single accurate cross, with the away side stunted down either flank as a result.
On top of that, only two tackles were won between them, as Brentford ultimately felt no fear piling forward with ease, up against the Toon’s ageing backline.
Howe will have to get rid of Burn automatically when Premier League action gets back underway, owing to his suspension, but, with Tino Livramento tipped to return to the first-team picture for the Manchester City tie up next, after injury, it wouldn’t be the greatest shock to see Trippier ditched for fresh blood down the right.
Likewise, with Lewis Hall also putting in an energetic cameo against the Bees, that makes him a prime candidate to start as Howe’s left-back against Guardiola’s men.
