Chris Waugh has been speaking on Pod on the Tyne about how Eddie Howe may soon reshuffle his Newcastle United defence.
It has been a stunning turnaround under Howe at Newcastle as they can now boast the best defence in the entire Premier League, this is despite last season shipping 62 goals and 80 in 2021, a new record.
Since the takeover by PIF, Newcastle and how have focused on improving the backline with five of their permanent arrivals being defenders and it’s clearly paying off, with £35 million Sven Botman enjoying life on Tyneside sign his summer switch as he’s yet to lose a game.
However, Waugh has raised the question about his future in the starting lineup with competition from Dan Burn very fierce.
(21:00) “I haven’t been as down on Dan Burn playing as left back as I think a lot of people have been, that might be because I’m not as bowled over by Matt Targett as I think some other people are, I think he’s good and I think he’s a better left back option than Dan Burn but I don’t think he’s so massively superior that suddenly he completely transforms the way that Newcastle United are when he plays.
“Yes, they probably do lack a little bit in attack with him, but I don’t think it’s absolutely huge in that sense, and I think physically and in terms of aerially they gain something by haven’t Dan Burn so more of an issue I have is I don’t see Dan Burn being the option long term at left back and if he is, I would question why are Jamal Lewis and Paul Dummett both in the squad.
Who should start for Newcastle?
Botman!
Burn!
“So you have three left backs and yet your second choice left back at the moment or even your first choice left back, is actually a centre back, which just seems to me a bit of a bizarre balance to the squad.
“So I don’t think it’s likely to be long-term, I think probably in one of the next two games Matt Targett will come back in at left back and then its Eddie Howe’s decision to make because he seems keen to have Dan Burn in the team.
“Does he remove Sven Botman, which will be a huge decision given how he’s playing or does he actually drop Dan Burn down which again would be harsh but then you actually bringing a left back into the team.”
TIF Thoughts on Botman and Burn’s places in the team…
Given the difference in price tags, it would appear on paper that dropping Burn and keeping Botman in the team would be a rather easy decision for Howe to make, but the manager has heaped praise on the Newcastle-born defender this season in terms of his leadership and what he brings to the squad.
Therefore, he may well look to give Botman a rest against one of Everton or Tottenham Hotspur, and opt for a more experienced centre back pairing that performed well last season in the form of Burn and Fabian Schar.
It would likely be a huge decision that may well upset the fan base given how tremendously well Botman has been playing, having been likened to a Rolls Royce recently for his performances both on and off the ball for the Magpies.