Eddie Howe gives blunt answer to French media when questioned over decision to drop Nick Woltemade
Eddie Howe made a massive call with his team selection last night as Newcastle United took on Marseille in the Champions League.
In truth, the Newcastle boss made a couple of big decisions, opting to go with a back five, playing Joe Willock over Joelinton and starting Anthony Gordon up front instead of Nick Woltemade.
It was that last decision that was questioned the most after the game, as Gordon once again proved that he is the furthest thing from a centre-forward.
Everybody but Howe and Gordon have come to terms with this fact, but Gordon insists he can play that role and Howe is certain that he has played well there for us in the past, but we are wondering if these performances were in behind-closed-doors games because we've certainly not seen it.
Eddie Howe didn't like being called out for his Anthony Gordon decision
Facing the media last night (h/t The Chronicle) after the defeat to Marseille, one journalist asked why Howe opted not to go with a recognised striker in such a big game, and that seemed to strike a nerve with the Toon boss who delivered a blunt statement that, in our view at least, is pure fiction.
"We had a striker on the pitch here."
If you mean when you brought Nick Woltemade on in the latter stages, then yes, you did, but before that, no, you had a winger playing through the middle, mate.
Would you prefer to see Sean Neave given a chance in the first team over continuing the failed Anthony Gordon experiment?
Eddie Howe wants to protect Nick Woltemade from burnout
Eddie Howe did go on to justify Gordon's inclusion over Woltemade, and honestly, we do get the need to rest Big Nick. We said that before the game, too, but Gordon is not the answer.
"With Nick, we look to rest and rotate Nick because physically, he's giving a lot.
"We need to make sure he's already fit and available, established on the line, and we have to be very careful with his load.
"Also, when he plays, I want him fresh and able to give his very best.
"He's had a really intense period. He did well when he came on, though. I thought he helped our performance."
Of course, Howe is limited right now with both Will Osula and Yoane Wissa injured, so we can sympathise in that sense, but there has to be a better alternative than Anthony Gordon. We'd honestly rather have seen youngster Sean Neave given a chance. It may be too soon for him to shoulder such a burden, but at least he has those natural striker instincts that Gordon clearly lacks.
