Newcastle United handed new £47m injury concern? Eddie Howe responds
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has revealed why he withdrew Sven Botman and Jacob Murphy in Saturday’s defeat to AFC Bournemouth.
The Magpies lost 4-1 at St James’ Park on what was their heaviest home defeat since the 4-0 loss to Manchester City in December 2021. Justin Kluivert netted a hat-trick while Milos Kirkez also fot on the scoresheet in stoppage time.
Howe named an unchanged starting XI from Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers with Botman retaining his place at centre-back, despite Fabian Schar returning from illness.
With United trailing 2-1 at half-time, Schar was brought on in the Dutchman’s place. Botman has recently returned from an ACL injury, which sparked some concern he might be injured. Murphy was withdrawn in the 66th minute but moments before went down needing treatment.
But Howe revealed his decisions was down to tactical reasons.
“Tactical for Sven just felt needed at that moment with the way the game was going and actual right footer on the side,” Howe said. “Jacob, just to try and change the momentum of the game.
“You can use fatigue [as a reason], but then when we made the changes, I don't think our performance improved, which is, of course, frustrating.”
Asked if fatigue played a part in the defeat, Howe added: “No, not really because we recovered in a way that I felt that we had done in previous games.
“We had the same preparation for the Ipswich game if I remember right, and then another game recently very similar and we've always responded really well athletically, so I think it's probably a combination of how Bournemouth play and the speed of the game that they created, that we didn't deal with it well enough.”
Howe’s side now have a week prepare for next Saturday’s long trip to relegation threatened Southampton.