Eddie Howe simply must replace one of his starting Newcastle United players from now on after what happened against Manchester City yesterday.
Newcastle started the game in disappointing fashion conceding a deflected goal off of Dan Burn’s leg before then conceding a similar one off the head of Sven Botman, both coming from the left of their defence.
Burn was targeted once again and the £13m signing struggled before being taken off for Lewis Hall in the second half which is when Newcastle had a bit more confidence and energy about themselves despite the score.
Howe must considering left-back change for Newcastle
This has been a problem for Newcastle for most of the season, yet Howe has rarely taken action and continues to show faith in the defender who was key to their Champions League qualification last year.
However, teams have identified that as an area of weakness in Newcastle’s defence due to his lack of pace and it has been the result of a number of goals especially in 2024 in games against Luton and Nottingham Forest.
In yesterday’s FA Cup tie, while it wasn’t necessarily all to do with Burn, the two goals did come from that side once again, further enhancing the idea amongst the fans that a change has to be made or Newcastle risk losing their season.
With just 10 games left in the Premier League to qualify for Europe Howe must be starting Hall, who they could sign permanently for £35m, for a bit of energy and determination into the side if nothing else, which they have lack in the last couple of games.
Hall deserves more minutes at Newcastle
Regardless of whether you think he should be starting or not, Hall has definitely showed enough promise to be given more minutes than Howe has allowed this season with defender only managing 103 so far in the Premier League this season.
The game against City was just the fifth time he’s played more than 16 minutes in a game with the others coming in the Carabao Cup and Champions League effectively because Howe’s hand was forced with injuries.
Hall offers something different down that side – he can drive up and down the pitch, so it gives Newcastle that added threat of attack they don’t typically have, but he’s still a competent defender with an extra yard of pace for recovery.
Yes, he’s a little inexperienced and he will make mistakes, but he’s certainly got the talent as he’s proved both here and at Chelsea and if he’s the long-term answer at left-back as Howe suggests then the more experience he gets this season will only benefit him for the future,
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