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Howe Touches On Very Difficult Selection Decision Against Forest



Eddie Howe’s team selection on Saturday didn’t involve any jaw-dropping decisions. Though the head coach had a few selection dilemmas to decide on. He ultimately got the decision right as the performance was a dominant one over newly promoted Nottingham Forest.

While new boy Sven Botman will have to wait, Nick Pope was handed the number one gloves yesterday and they appear to be his to lose. What that means for Martin Dubravka moving forward is unclear at the moment.

Pope had a quiet afternoon due to Newcastle’s utter dominance which will suit everyone associated with the club just fine. He’ll be tested some point soon and he’ll have to keep his levels high with Martin breathing down his neck.

Howe was asked about his decision to start Pope and this was his response as published in The Shields Gazette:

“Very, very, very difficult decision. I feel I’ve got three quality goalkeepers to pick from in Karl (Darlow), Nick, and Martin. And Martin, last season, was excellent.

“Certainly, my decision to pick Nick wasn’t a reflection on him (Dubravka) or his abilities or my thoughts on him. It’s more a reflection on Nick – and how good I think he is.”

One mystery in the goalkeeping ranks has been solved. Pope will likely continue as the number one in the league until something happens to change that, whether it be an injury or a poor performance.

Howe has four keepers on the books; he didn’t mention Martin Gillespie in his comments. Due to the current size of the squad, it’s unlikely all will remain. It’s also unclear who will make way.

It could come down to how willing Dubravka is to be Pope’s backup and whether Karl Darlow will accept being third-choice. Those are some questions that will be answered in the coming weeks.

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36 comments so far

  • CLINT FLICK

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:08 AM

    Comment #1

    .

    0
  • CLINT FLICK

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:09 AM

    Comment #2

    I wonder uf the 5 subs rule will be exploited by teams running the clock down at the end of games?
    That’s a lot of clock stopping.

    2
  • Novocastrian66

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:13 AM

    Comment #3

    Clint; the game can only be stopped 3 times per team to make their substitutions.

    6
  • CLINT FLICK

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:14 AM

    Comment #4

    Isn’t it nice to start with a win!

    How novel!

    Great ad for new signings!

    Come join the party!

    4
  • CLINT FLICK

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:15 AM

    Comment #5

    Novo

    Really?
    Oh! Thanx for clearing that up, mate.
    I did think ‘how does it work’?
    Cheers

    2
  • Vask

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:24 AM

    Comment #8

    Nice refreshing opening to the season. We needed to score an extra goal if we are going to meet my goals scored prediction for this season.

    What a finish by Wilson. Mark of a good striker is getting that goal even if it hadn’t worked out for them earlier in the game. As others have said if he stays fit, he’ll score a lot of goals.

    Shar’s goal had an air of FIFA 95 of it. Run down the wing shoot from the corner of the box into the top corner. Repeat.

    7
  • SPRINGY

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:41 AM

    Comment #10

    Looking at them highlights miggy needs some serious right foot practice….just so he feels more comfortable shooting,he had numerous chances and should’ve really had 2-3goals or chances created from using his right foot….other then that his game was good,that lad catches pigeons,runs his arse off and has energy to burn…some work on his decision making and confidence to pull the trigger,he should get double figures every season…in goals and assists.

    6
  • Munster Mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:42 AM

    Comment #11

    I think it was shola who said Guedes isn’t that good? Anyone know much about him.

    0
  • martoon

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:42 AM

    Comment #12

    CLINT FLICK @2 Although you’re allowed 5 subs a team can only make them in 3 batches i.e. say 2, 2, 1 etc. This is to stop teams wasting too much time using subs!

    3
  • Mund

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:42 AM

    Comment #13

    #NUFC are ready to test Red Bull Salzburg’s resolve to hold on to Benjamin Sesko by tabling a more formal inquiry over the 19-year-old forward.

    [Via @Scottwilsonecho]

    Salzburg demand around €50m if they were willing to do business, #NUFC hierarchy are understood to be considering an initial offer of around €30m up-front payment, with a series of clauses potentially taking the final price of the deal much higher.

    [Via
    @Scottwilsonecho
    ]

    7
  • Mund

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:43 AM

    Comment #14

    Scott Wilson

    @Scottwilsonecho
    TRANSFER LATEST: #NUFC ready to make fresh push for Benjamin Sesko – teenage forward remains key target despite RB Salzburg’s previous insistence they don’t want to sell. Newcastle still hoping there’s a deal there to be done…

    7
  • Munster Mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:43 AM

    Comment #15

    Springy I’d say miggy could run a marathon with about a week’s training. Rarely seen anything like him.

    3
  • martoon

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:44 AM

    Comment #16

    Vask – while you’re around – I wasn’t sure who you meant by ‘The Geordie Maradonna’ in your predictions? Is it young Anderson or somebody else?

    1
  • Munster Mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:46 AM

    Comment #17

    Marton, it’s Anderson. He got that nickname at Bristol Rovers.

    3
  • Romford mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:47 AM

    Comment #18

    Vask

    Just noticed I’m playing you in the H2H mate !

    Good luck 🙂

    0
  • ITUNDERASHELL

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:52 AM

    Comment #19

    Mund

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:43 AM

    Comment #14

    Sesko could very well take us up to the next level if the stories are true and we manage to sign him.

    5
  • Munster Mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:55 AM

    Comment #20
  • scott

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:56 AM

    Comment #21

    Mund

    I really hope we are going to go for Sesko but I hope it’s not true we are going to go down the Maddison route again to try & get him!

    All presuming reports are true like!

    4
  • Vask

    Aug 7, 2022 at 11:57 AM

    Comment #22

    Martoon

    Yeah it’s Anderson, it’s what the Bristol fans were singing last season.

    Rom
    I’ll need more than luck to overcome the deficit with what we both have left to play, you old dark horse you. Here’s hoping for a cancello solo hatrick and a clean sheet. 🙂

    4
  • cleveleysbob

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:00 PM

    Comment #23

    It is Sunday! Officially to be renamed, Spoon of Salt Day.

    You read it here 1st. 😆

    4
  • scott

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:01 PM

    Comment #24

    Vask

    That Rom fella was doing it all last season too!

    I did try to warn people of the dark horse! 😀

    4
  • martoon

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:01 PM

    Comment #25

    Vask & Munster – cheers – I thought so but just making sure!

    3
  • Romford mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:02 PM

    Comment #26

    Vask

    Stranger things have happened mate ! 😉

    2
  • cleveleysbob

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:02 PM

    Comment #27

    Or maybe just Saltday!

    Or Click bait Sunday!

    Something will stick. 😉

    3
  • Romford mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:03 PM

    Comment #28

    Scott

    I’ve been lucky is all mate, very very lucky ! 😉

    3
  • Romford mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:03 PM

    Comment #29

    Bob

    Doesn’t that apply to everyday for us mate ! 🙂

    1
  • scott

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:04 PM

    Comment #30

    Rom

    Ah here we go, that old chestnut again! 😉

    1
  • Romford mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:05 PM

    Comment #31

    We’ll see come end of season mate ! 😉

    2
  • cleveleysbob

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:08 PM

    Comment #32

    I tried to get the 30min highlight package on Sky last night and set up the system for it.

    However, either I’m a dozy old fart who picked the wrong game, or they f**d up the times as I got the end of Coopers post match interview followed by the highlights of Leeds/Wolves.

    I’m trying again at 8:30 tonight. I prefer to see as much as I can, the official 10min clip just isn’t enough.

    At this rate, next weeks match will be here before I see this weeks 😀

    4
  • JohnJ

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:08 PM

    Comment #33

    I still have a very nice glow from yesterdays result. Lovely to start a new season with a win eh?

    🙂

    3
  • cleveleysbob

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:10 PM

    Comment #34

    A lot of truth in that Rom.

    At least the footballs started to distract us a bit from the journalism crap output. 🙂

    5
  • Munster Mag

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:14 PM

    Comment #35

    How did the UK and Irish lads watch the game? Have you got advanced dodgy boxes. I wasn’t home, but I don’t think my Firestick wud have got me far?

    Ledge what have you got, I’ll bet you get loads of games?

    My Firestick always seems to pack up when important Toon and Munster games come on 🙁

    1
  • cleveleysbob

    Aug 7, 2022 at 12:17 PM

    Comment #36

    Bus everyone……..

    1


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