Newcastle fans got their first glimpse of Sven Botman in person during yesterday’s 2-1 win over Athletic Club. The center-back continued his fine pre-season with another composed display in which he showed why Eddie Howe was so keen to get him on board.
Howe has some selection dilemmas ahead of the season opener against Nottingham Forest next weekend. The battle between Dan Burn and Botman to partner Fabian Schar could be the most difficult one.
Newcastle were excellent defensively against both Atalanta on Friday and Athletic Club yesterday. It seems Howe may have had his preferred backline playing against the Italians in Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Burn, and Matt Targett.
However, it could be difficult keeping Botman on the bench after what he’s shown this pre-season. It’s going to be interesting to see who lines up against Forest in six days.
Eddie Howe has been very impressed with his new defender and believes he is ready for the Premier League. Howe said the following about Botman as published in The Northern Echo after yesterday’s win over Athletic Club:
“He’s done very well during pre-season. I’d say today was a snapshot of how he’s been – very composed on the ball, an excellent distributor, short and long. I thought he defended very well.
“He was good aerially and good defending balls in behind. I thought it was a very composed display. He’s showing the characteristics of what he’ll bring to the defense.
“Is he ready? Of course he is. But there’s competition for places, and that’s now probably my biggest dilemma from the two games – trying to pick one eleven.”
Howe will have a general idea of what his preferred eleven is. Though it’s going to be very harsh on a handful of Magpies next weekend. The competition in the midfield, at center-back, and goalkeeper will be one that could go down to the wire.
142 comments so far
thereallowickmag
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:26 PM
Comment #41Martoon. My predictions. Thanks again
Final League Position – 8th
Final no. of points – 54
Goals Scored (Premiership) – 53
League Cup round (2 = Entry, 7 = Final) – 5
FA Cup round (3 = Entry, 8 = Final) – 5
Player of the Season (Blog) – Bruno
Top goal scorer (TGS) – Wilson
No. of goals scored by TGS – 14
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:33 PM
Comment #42The PL clubs and the owners will be looking at us and thinking they’ve got bags of money, they will be a team on the up with who they can bring in etc etc…
One thing and the most important aspect of it all which never gets highlighted is the fact they never take into consideration what Eddie and his team will bring.
You can have bags of cash and flaunt it about but it doesn’t guarantee you anything as proven many times by football clubs.
The Eddie Howe effect in these early days never gets took into account. I’ve had many debates with friends and others about how we turned it around and always there first reaction is we spent money… we bought ourselves out of trouble… it’s because we are rich… blah blah blah
They have no idea of the weapon we have in Howe and his team and what they bring to all this. I suppose it’s a good thing as Howe will quietly go about his work until he can’t be ignored anymore.
Eddie Howe will turn out to be the greatest signing the club has ever made since Alan Shearer and will lead the club to greatness.
The Last Jedi
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:36 PM
Comment #43Did Mund just call Howe greater than Sir Bobby while having Sir Bobby as his avatar?
ITUNDERASHELL
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:37 PM
Comment #44I must admit, I would have given ASM the boot but he really impressed me yesterday, particularly with his effort to defend and pick out a pass. Keep it up lad! There is a world class player in him and if he really listens and follows his coaches instructions he will achieve his goals.
IrishRob
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:38 PM
Comment #45League position 4th
Points 67-70
Goals scored 61
League Cup 4th round
Fa cup QF
Pos Joelinton
Top scorer Wilson
Goals 20
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:39 PM
Comment #46Nobody is better than Sir Bobby IMO
My idol, my hero!
Miss him everyday
MidlandsMag
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:42 PM
Comment #47Martoon
Final League Position = 1st
No of Points = Whatever it takes
Goals Scored =Whatever
League Cup Entry Don’t bother
FA Cup Entry 5 = Winner
Player of the Season = Bruno
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = Whatever
Davas
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:46 PM
Comment #48I’d love to see Werner and Maddison sign for us but whether that will be possible at this time or whether the rumours are true, who knows. If Leicester just want to reduce their wage bill due to Ffp as opposed to needing cash then maybe they’d be willimg to take staggered payments.
Be interesting to see how this goes
The Last Jedi
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:49 PM
Comment #49Never forgive Fat Fred for sacking Sir Bobby the players should have been replaced not Bobby
carltoon
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:51 PM
Comment #50Joe Harvey our greatest ever manager and most successful. Unassuming unheralded, just recently had a tiny plague on the wall.
Let’s hope Howe overtakes him, and wins a few trophies,
Vask
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:52 PM
Comment #51I would consider Perez Zhon. He is also an intelligent presser and I think he would fit quite well with our current system. Whether he would come back is another matter.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:55 PM
Comment #52carltoon
Joe Harvey doesn’t get enough recognition and 100% our greatest ever manager.
Can’t believe we never seen a statue built
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:55 PM
Comment #53TOF
I’m deeply wounded that my opinion is meaningless to you. Is that why you responded to me? Oh dear…. and you call other people simple.
Point you continually miss is that your opinion doesn’t make what you say and believe, necessarily right and you should at least respect other people’s point of view even if you don’t agree.
Otherwise you’ll continue to keep coming across as an ignorant and dogmatic charmless nerk.
The overrated Frenchman
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:55 PM
Comment #54ITUNDERASHELL: I basically agree with your comments, but I think a player like ASM can be “over-coached” to his detriment. He needs a bit of room to display his qualities, and that might mean taking a bit of rough with the smooth, but you need to let the talent express itself in my view.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:57 PM
Comment #55The downfall of the whole club started with sacking SBR
SirBobbytheGreat
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:01 PM
Comment #56I think Maxwel Cornet would be a great signing. He would either replace Targett at left back or replace ASM on the left with ASM reverting to the right.
carltoon
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:02 PM
Comment #57TOF, I love the maverick players, but can the we accommodate him,
He played well and played the passing game, so hopefully he keeps that up, and add the flair to a hard working team.
SirBobbytheGreat
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:03 PM
Comment #58Keegan got all the plaudits, but Sir Bobby was just as good. Did well at every club he was at.
Harley
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:04 PM
Comment #59On Perez
I’d not want him. I never rated him as a player when he was here and was gobsmacked we got £30m for him. Hasn’t been able to get in the Leicester team, so definitely don’t think he’s good enough for our team.
Werner and Maddison would be beyond our wildest dreams if that comes off.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:04 PM
Comment #60The popular choices are the obvious favourites of Bruno and Wilson, not many of us thinking outside the box!
Also in previous years many of us would have been going for Dubs so it’s good to see that has changed.
carltoon
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:05 PM
Comment #61Loved SBR. and it was a disgrace what happened, we came so close under KK and Bobby, the football was magnificent, but no trophies, still wouldn’t have missed those years.
SirBobbytheGreat
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:06 PM
Comment #62Yep, he got fired too early. It was a time where if we would’ve strengthened the defence and central midfield, we could’ve won the league.
Kluivert should have featured more though.
The overrated Frenchman
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:07 PM
Comment #63Rotonda Heights, I never dogmatically say my point of view is “right”. I just express it. And surely you must have realised by now that I don’t care how I “come across”. Do you really think I’m looking for affirmation or a warm fuzzy feeling from other posters? And, I only respond to your inane posts directed my way because I don’t want you to think you have won the day and I’m running scared. I’d rather ignore them.
cleveleysbob
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:10 PM
Comment #64Can’t wait to see what Ashworth etc are really up to.
There was a report yesterday that Werner was prepared to drop his wages by 50% in order to go back to Leipzig. No reason why that same logic couldn’t apply to us. Loan deal with agreement to buy, he accepts half salary which still makes him our highest earner, but not massively (Chelsea might still part subsidise). Got to be a possibility.
Personally think Maddison is a stalking horse, to get Lyon to act sensibly on Paqueta. I’d be happy with either + Werner and I’ll be adjusting my forecasts, Martoon on standby!
Tyran21
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:12 PM
Comment #65Martoon.
Final League Position = 6th
No of Points = 65
Goals Scored = 67
League Cup = Winner
FA Cup = Winner
Player of the Season = ASM
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = 18
cleveleysbob
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Comment #66Again, just personal opinion. I’m sure we’re going to bring one or 2 more into the fold which is why I’ve predicted 5th. (If we stick with current squad 8th).
However if the 2 we bring in are Werner + Maddison or Paqueta, I think top 4 is possible.
The overrated Frenchman
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:15 PM
Comment #67Carltoon, I don’t think you should stifle a player with genuine talent and match winning ability just to fit the mould.
Romford mag
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:19 PM
Comment #68Martoon my prediction :
Final league position – 8th
Points – 58
Goals scored – 59
League cup – 5th round
F.A cup – 5th round
Player of the season – Bruno
Top goal scorer – Wilson
Number of goals scored by TGS – 14
Thanks 🙂
carltoon
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:20 PM
Comment #69TOF, yes I love to see him in full flow, but drives me crazy when he ends up losing it rather than pass, but yesterday he was more a team player, and scored so we may get both.
The Last Jedi
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:22 PM
Comment #70Should go for Kostic before Juve or West Ham get him. Available for 15-20mill
The Last Jedi
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:23 PM
Comment #71Berardi for RW 35-40 mill
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:25 PM
Comment #72SirBobbytheGreat
Have you read Black and White Knight…?
It’s about SBR’s story and time at the toon. Fantastic read!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Black-White-Knight-Robson-Newcastle/dp/1785317636/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1AYP5A1UHBENQ&keywords=black+and+white+knight&qid=1659270309&sprefix=black+and+white+knight%2Caps%2C215&sr=8-1
Well worth it and a must read for any fan
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:26 PM
Comment #73The Last Jedi
Bacardi and Pope, with ice please
Only at Newcastle
Toon_Barmy
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:28 PM
Comment #74Big fat NO to Perez. We are going to look to break fast and Perez isn’t quick enough to join the attack. Don’t get me wrong, he has his skills and attributes but they won’t really complement our play
Zhongguo Geordie
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:28 PM
Comment #75With regards to Perez, I was thinking a 3m loan fee to have him fill a gap until we can get a young striker who fits what we want. Obviously if a young striker comes available There’d be no need. But if nobody is available I’d rather a cheap loan for a mediocre player, maybe even Adam Armstrong, than blasting another 25m on a future bench warmer in his 30s or thereabouts.
Zhongguo Geordie
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:30 PM
Comment #76Also not thinking Perez as a first teamer, just a desperate cheap measure in case Wilson gets injured.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:33 PM
Comment #77Ekrem KONUR
@Ekremkonur
Newcastle are preparing a new £50m bid for Leicester City for James Maddison #NUFC #LCFC
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:37 PM
Comment #78Max is right footed so needs to play on the left to cut inside to get shots away to score goals.
I think he’s pigeon toed as many sprinters are, that’s way he drags some shots to the left of goal.
Maybe he should start a little deeper and not quite so far out to be most effective with Wilson ahead of him.
On the left he will be forced wide and might get some crosses in but doubt any goals as to easy to defend against.
Leave him on the left and get in this elusive right winger with Miggy another contender.
gazzac69nufc
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:38 PM
Comment #79Martoon.
Final League Position = 8th
No of Points = 61
Goals Scored = 62
League Cup = 5th round
FA Cup = quarter finals
Player of the Season = Joelinton
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = 17
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:39 PM
Comment #80Perez no.
That shop has sailed.
We can afford not to have ‘cheap’ options, begon with that Bruce like talk.