Alexander Isak Newcastle United problem uncovered as Sean Longstaff argument arises
Eddie Howe will start Monday with a clean slate and tell each player that this week’s training schedule is their opportunity to win a place in his Southampton team
Eddie Howe wasn’t satisfied with the contributions of those he sent on to save the game against AFC Bournemouth on Saturday—and told them so after the 4-1 defeat.
It can’t have been easy to take off in-form left-back Lewis Hall against the Cherries while Jacob Murphy has also enjoyed one of his best runs in the team for a while. But after warning Newcastle’s spluttering stars at half-time he would make changes, those who came on in a bid to save the game were equally as poor.
Howe said: “We made a big tactical switch at half time and throughout to try and invigorate us but it never happened. We have to respond and quickly. The big thing for us is we have a week in between so hopefully a chance to recharge our batteries and then attack the game.”
Howe’s players have also been told that nobody can take their place for granted and that this week’s training schedule will not only mean hard work, but also an opportunity for somebody to win a slot back in the team.
Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar and Joe Willock all looked out of sorts and the second period proved to be worse than the first 45 minutes. On a futile afternoon, Howe factored in fatigue after a game only on Wednesday night against Wolverhampton Wanderers and the FA Cup win over Bromley.
But he may not be so charitable this week and the likes of Sean Longstaff, Lewis Miley, Lloyd Kelly and even Miguel Almiron if he is still here have every right to bang on the manager’s door on Monday. Longstaff has drifted out of the team and until yesterday could not argue about being on the bench.
However, it was in midfield where a lot of problems unfolded. Joelinton and Sandro Tonali were nowhere near Justin Kluivert for the opener, Bruno lost the ball for his second and you could have got a bus through the midfield for goals three and four.
As Hungary international Milos Kerkez strode through in stoppage time he had acres of space with five black and white shirted players facing their own goal. It meant he was able to take his time before pulling the trigger and beating Martin Dubravka once again.
