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
lochinvar
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:41 PM
Comment #81Max, what I meant to say was
On the right he will be forced wide and might get some crosses in but doubt any goals as to easy to defend against when forced away from goal
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:42 PM
Comment #82Surely if we put a 50M bid in it will be accepted…
Struggling for money and need to sell before they can buy so maybe not far off
Arthur Romsdale
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:44 PM
Comment #83I don’t think there’s any case to be made. Botman starts.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:48 PM
Comment #84Was yesterday in ‘International on the lash day’ in the Toon!?
Never seen the Toon in all my years of being in the Toon seeing all bars full inside and oot side – all colours and creeds. Toon shirts fitting every shape and size and age and must of seen 30 or 30 stag and hen parties.
Nighttime was manic too!
King Dev
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:51 PM
Comment #85Martoon.
Final League Position = 8th
No of Points = 55
Goals Scored = 60
League Cup = Quarters
FA Cup = Semis
Player of the Season = Trippier
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = 20
I’d personally like to see more progress in the cups but I doubt it will happen _this_ year. Not being pessimistic, just want a good run in the league. Has to be a priority IMO. We need to be seen to be creeping up places in order to attract players, sponsorship and cementing our place in the top half.
lesh
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:51 PM
Comment #86Mund
@46
‘Nobody is better than Sir Bobby IMO’
Then
@52
‘Joe Harvey doesn’t get enough recognition and 100% our greatest ever manager’
King Dev
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:52 PM
Comment #87Also Botman to start. Deffo.
lesh
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:53 PM
Comment #88Mund
@86
Make your mind up – which one is it?
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:53 PM
Comment #89Today 31st July 2022 is the day George Jetson was/is born!??
King Dev
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:54 PM
Comment #90Lesh,
That could work. Like no one can beat Superman, but Batman is clearly 100% best superhero.
King Dev
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:54 PM
Comment #91Maybe. At a stretch ?
Rotonda heights
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:58 PM
Comment #92TOF
” 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.”
Wow, I knew you were insecure but how puerile is that. Jeez…. win the day ??? WTF!!!. Whose winning anything by just pointing out the bleeding obvious to you. Didn’t realise it was a contest.
Different opinion to you = Inane. Got it.
Nobody is asking to you to, dare I say it, be friendly, I know that’s a stretch for you, but revelling in being an arrogant, know it all t–t is most unbecoming.
B1GSTEVE
Jul 31, 2022 at 1:59 PM
Comment #93Martoon.
Final League Position = 3rd
No of Points = 76
Goals Scored = 76
League Cup = quarter final
FA Cup = final
Player of the Season = ASM
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = 25
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Comment #94🙄
Joe Harvey is Newcastle’s greatest ever manager…
Sir Bobby Robson is the greatest full stop. The greatest man to ever grace the game.
Two completely different things altogether but I wouldn’t expect a man who knows very little about football to understand that.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:01 PM
Comment #95You’d think someone would take the hint
King Dev
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:01 PM
Comment #96B1GSTEVE @93 3rd? Oh yes, that would be amazing. That might actually be worth a punt 🙂
B1GSTEVE
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:09 PM
Comment #97King Dev, based on this years foprm
B1GSTEVE
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:09 PM
Comment #98form
ottawageordie2
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:10 PM
Comment #99Mund: Comment #42
Absolutely correct. Money does not mean success if you don’t have the right coach and his crew. Eddie is the man to bring us forward.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:11 PM
Comment #100Martin Cockshaw #FBPE
@martincockshaw
Exciting news from the North East circulating on the agent group chat. Newcastle have submitted a £55m offer for Maddison, which #LCFC are willing to accept. J-Madz believes #NUFC can substantially increase his commercial profile & restart his England career. 1/2
Maddison believes #LCFC’s lack of ‘big club’ status is responsible for him falling out of favour with Southgate. His relationship with Rodgers is also ‘poor’. Great optics on this deal for #NUFC, #LCFC and #JMadz. A real win/win/win scenario.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:13 PM
Comment #101ottawageordie2
They have no idea about the giant we have in Eddie Howe.
I see it and many others do
He will bring greatness to our club and the city and will go down as the GOAT!
cleveleysbob
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:31 PM
Comment #102Mund, love that tied up over next 48hrs, followed by Werner loan and we’re flying! 😀
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:32 PM
Comment #103I can see Maddison wanting to come the Toon
Two shoes in players going to The World Cup in Pope and Trippier will help his cause
Plus for us he is combative scores goals and is a very good free kick taker to!!
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:33 PM
Comment #104Bob
I’d love that!
Two fantastic deals IMO even tho I can’t stand Maddison. I can put that aside and welcome a great player to the club.
I think Eddie has the golden touch and could transform Werner into a hell of a player.
Essex Geordie Bill
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:33 PM
Comment #105Sunderland got a draw and a 41.000 gate today, love em or hate em they have good loyal fans.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:47 PM
Comment #106Athletic Club
@Athletic_en
Thank you Newcastle for letting a little bit of red and white into your city yesterday! We know it can’t have been easy!
Beautiful city, amazing people and great football
Behind-the-scenes footage from #NUFCAthletic
#AthleticClub
https://mobile.twitter.com/Athletic_en/status/1553702096893100033
cleveleysbob
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:48 PM
Comment #107Mund, I know what you mean, he’s not on my list of favourite people either, but that all changes if they put the black and white shirt on.
It makes me think that there’s either something wrong with Paqueta or Lyon are just being plain stupid, because I’d have thought we’d get him for less than the £55M offered to Leicester, unless it’s a “payments” thing again .
Hey ho, whatever, I’m happy with either. Onwards and upwards. Just need to hear confirmation.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:53 PM
Comment #108Bob
Aye mate I’m of them same thinking but what do we ever truly know to be real…?
If it was a choice right now between either of them I’d say Paqueta for all the obvious reasons and from the heart but Maddison would be incredible and he’d be my choice using my head.
Tried, tested and successful already within the league and would definitely take us up a few notches
magicmac54
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #109EGB
Afternoon Bill, I watched the Sunderland v Coventry game on Sky, brilliant atmosphere with 41,000 in the stadium, so i totally concur with you fella love em or hate em they do indeed have good loyal fans mate HWTL
jezza442
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:56 PM
Comment #110Really starting to like that red and white team,might even buy a shirt,never ever have I even contemplated wearing red and white but the comments they have put out about us over the last few days,along with the flag they donated to wor flags has been a class act from them,wouldn’t it be funny if all of st James was full of red and white shirts lol,athletic B obviously not scum
ITUNDERASHELL
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:57 PM
Comment #111The overrated Frenchman
Jul 31, 2022 at 12:55 PM
Comment #54
ASM is a tough nut to crack but if our coaches cannot do it then nowone can me thinks!
MUND, fingers crossed the report on our club upping their bid for Maddison up to £55m is correct and accepted. l would have prefered Paqueta but what do l know.HWTL
SirBobbytheGreat
Jul 31, 2022 at 2:59 PM
Comment #112Maddison would be a fantastic signing. He should be starting for England.Looks like we might be going for Emmanuel Dennis.
Vask
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:03 PM
Comment #113Didn’t Sunderland have something to with Bilbao electing to play in Red and White? May have been fake news.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:04 PM
Comment #114I always thought Bilbao copied their colours from the Mackems but apparently it was Southampton , same with the other Spanish Athletic club – Atletico de Madrid
Vask
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:07 PM
Comment #115Aye just read that mund. A little bit more of a palatable fact now.
Vask
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:08 PM
Comment #116Apparently a lot of Spanish clubs have ties to British industrialism.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:09 PM
Comment #117You know me Vask…
Always speak in facts
😉
magicmac54
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:09 PM
Comment #118Cleveleysbob and Mund
Afternoon Lads, I also can`t stand Maddison as he is a dick in much the same way as Grealish two peas in a pod, but no doubt he would be a quality signing and would vastly improve our team, so for that reason i would be delighted if we signed him, it`s always the team 1st with fans and not necessarily the individual HWTL
Vask
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:11 PM
Comment #119Mund
https://youtu.be/pWdd6_ZxX8c
Vask
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:12 PM
Comment #120I say we only sign maddison if he agrees to getting the same haircut as Miggy.