Official reason why Newcastle United withdrew Sven Botman v Bradford City
Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman impressed during Newcastle United’s Carabao Cup win over Bradford City.
Newcastle United unleashed a new centre-back partnership for their 4-1 win over Bradford City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
With Fabian Schar ruled out through injury and Dan Burn rested, Eddie Howe paired £35million summer signing Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman together in a back four for the first time.
Schar and Burn have long been Howe’s first-choice CB pairing. Before the goalless draw at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, you had to go back to January to find the last time they didn’t appear in the same starting XI.
Eddie Howe comments on Newcastle United’s newest partnership
Thiaw was handed his first start for the Magpies at Bournemouth, lining up in a back three alongside Botman and Burn. But the decision to rest the latter against Bradford saw Howe revert back to two centre-backs, with Thiaw and Botman partnering up.
And it was a relationship that impressed Howe, with the United boss highlighting both players’ ability to play out from the back.
Howe said: “It was a really good start for them as a partnership tonight. I thought they looked really good at Bournemouth, albeit in a slightly different system, but tonight they looked composed, used the ball really well, they're both very good footballers.”
“I think they've got the attributes to suit each other. They started a lot of the attacks for us tonight in a really balanced and composed way and ultimately, of course, they had to defend well and I thought they did for the majority of the game.”
Sven Botman withdrawal v Bradford City explained
Botman enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign at Newcastle following his £35m switch from Lille in 2022, but his troubles with knee injuries last season and the season before have limited his game time.
The Dutchman was brought off for Alex Murphy in the 89th minute against Bradford and it is because of injury history that some feared it was forced.
However, Howe allayed those fears after the game, saying: “Yeah, he’s fine, that was just to give Alex some minutes.”
Newcastle United make seven changes v Bradford City
Thiaw and Botman were two of only four players to remain in the starting XI from the Bournemouth draw.
Explaining his team selection, Howe said: “We take it on a game-by-game basis. After Barcelona, it was a case of who we felt would be fatigued going into the Bournemouth game, trying to pick a team to try and win that game. Then we do the same again, depending on who's fresh and who we feel might need a rest.
“So today it was quite a few changes to the team, but the rhythm of the team was really good. Players took an opportunity, whoever played, took an opportunity to impress. That only galvanises the group and helps the group in our long-term mission to win consistently.”