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
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:12 PM
Comment #121Vask 😆
One of my faves that!
Vask
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:13 PM
Comment #122Mund
I do enjoy a good film. 🙂
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:14 PM
Comment #123Magic
Absolutely mate.
Team always comes first. Plenty of players I don’t particularly like but I know if they came and put the black and white shirt on and gave their all they would become a favourite in no time.
Hopefully we can get this one done
The Ledge
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:14 PM
Comment #124Newcastle have formally started talks with Chelsea over a potential signing of Callum Hudson-Odoi. The fee would be significant and Chelsea are pondering over trying to include a buyback clause.
Any deal would not be linked to ASM, and it may be dependent on incomings.
Pinch of salt as they say .
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:16 PM
Comment #125Vask
Me too mate. Been a movie buff since I was a wee boy. My grandad who I stayed with on a weekend brought me up with the Bond movies and was hooked with films ever since.
Toon fans bad
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:16 PM
Comment #126Martoon
This is the way I’m rolling this season pal.
Final League Position = 7
Final no. of points = 55
Goals Scored (Premiership) = 61
League Cup round = Quarter Final
FA Cup round = Quarter Final
Player of the Season (Blog) = Bruno
Top goal scorer (TGS) = Wilson
No. of goals scored by TGS = 17
Cheers for your endeavours, thumbsupemojithingymijiggy!
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:17 PM
Comment #127Ledge
Maddison, Werner and Odoi would be a great finish to the window…
I do have my doubts on Odoi tho just because of the reports of him coming back over weight and attitude problems from last year…
Undoubtedly talented tho
Jp Mayor
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:20 PM
Comment #128Many may disagree based on the teams for forest I’ve seen posted, but based off the last 2 friendlies I’d actually lean towards S longstaff doing the screening job with big joe and Bruno a little ahead on sean. I’d bring willock on after 70 minutes to run at them with fresh legs impact sub. Just my thinking.
lesh
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:23 PM
Comment #129Mund
@94
Nifty footwork, well recovered!
😉
magicmac54
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:26 PM
Comment #130Vask and Mund
I think we should only sign Maddison if he gets the same hairstyle as Jonjo 😀 😀 😀
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:26 PM
Comment #131Lesh
I’ve told you what I think of you and have no desire to converse with you or should I say respond to your goading. So please get a new hobby or speak to anyone else who doesn’t see you as a creepy old man.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:26 PM
Comment #132Magic 😆
carltoon would like that
lesh
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:32 PM
Comment #133Mund
@131
Goading doesn’t come into it so forget trying that one on.
Toonarmy of Frogs
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:35 PM
Comment #134Martoon
Final League Position = 5th
No of Points = 67
Goals Scored =62
League Cup Entry 5th round
FA Cup Entry 5 = QF
Player of the Season = ASM
Top Goal Scorer = Wilson
Number of Goals scored by TGS = 14
(might revise this if we sign more players)
The Ledge
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:38 PM
Comment #135Mund…ye I agree on that.
Odoi seems to have had a few issues in the past with more serious stuff as well.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:43 PM
Comment #136Ledge
In Eddie We Trust tho mate and whatever he and the club decides then it’s got my backing
Toon_Barmy
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:44 PM
Comment #137The dilemma shouldn’t even be if Botman plays it’s who plays alongside him. Cleaned absolutely everything up yesterday to the point where inaki Williams went to the wing and got more joy against Dummet as he got no change from wor Sven
Toon fans bad
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:45 PM
Comment #138Can’t argue with Maddison’s ability, very nice, tidy and technical footballer. Just got a niggling feeling about his character and feel he’s too far up his own poop shoot. Could he become an issue in a couple of years?
However, because we’re in for him, Eddie mustn’t see an issue with him. There might not be an issue at all with him as we on the outside only get the media bollox regarding him. Eddie will have done due diligence on Maddison and if there is the possibility of an issue at some point must feel it’s manageable.
Maybe the offer is a tactic deployed by the club to hasten Lyon regarding Paqueta. There could be a concrete offer on Lyon’s table for him. If that’s the case Eddie is happy with either player. Shake the tree and see which one falls out.
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:45 PM
Comment #139Don’t even know why there is a debate on the CB’s as it’s clearly Botman and Schar to start…
Mund
Jul 31, 2022 at 3:46 PM
Comment #140Maddison, Fofana, Schmeichel, Barnes and Tielemans all NOT starting in the preseason game vs Sevilla today
lesh
Jul 31, 2022 at 5:55 PM
Comment #141Mund
@136
May I suggest you consider your words before posting. The comments contained in 136 are way way out of order!
idahomagpie
Jul 31, 2022 at 10:14 PM
Comment #142Botman plays next to Burn and Schar fills in for Shelvey for the first 60….Schar has the vision and the skills to get it done.