Eddie Howe is excited by what he's seen from two Newcastle United players as new partnership blossoms
Eddie Howe has given himself quite the problem when it comes to making his team selection these days, as Newcastle United finally have squad depth, which forces the gaffer into making actual choices for each game.
For much of Howe's time at Newcastle, the former Bournemouth boss has pretty much just had the same small pool of players to pick from, and the starting lineups were becoming pretty obvious - whoever was fully fit played.
After some excellent recruitment in the summer, though, Howe now finds himself being able to pick an XI on merit as well as fitness, and while that's great news for the club as a whole, some players may see it differently.
Fabian Schar picked up a concussion that kept him out of action for 12 days, which gave summer signing Malick Thiaw and the opening to have a run in the team, and unfortunately for Fabi, the German has grasped the opportunity with both hands.
Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman look next level
With Malick Thiaw being selected, Eddie Howe has gone with Sven Botman as his partner, as the plan was for them to succeed Schar and Dan Burn as the main centre-back pairing for the future, and they already look like the real deal, with Eddie Howe saying last night that they are building a good relationship already.
"I think Malick, again, he's come into the football club and the biggest compliment I can pay him is he's settled in really quickly. He's looked at home with his teammates. He's been excellent in training.
"Now obviously the challenge for him was to wait for his opportunity because Sven and Dan started the season and our defensive record and the defensive performances were excellent.
"So there was a period where he had to be patient and wait, and he did, and he was absolutely fine.
"Of course, then the challenge is when the opportunity arises, you've got to come in and grab it, and I think he's done that. I'm very pleased with him today. As I said, he and Sven are building a good relationship, and the use of the ball was at the highest level."
The future is now
We have been massively impressed by Malick Thiaw since he was thrown into the side, to the point where we don't see the need for Howe to revert to the Schar and Burn partnership that has served us so well.
It's cruel on Schar and Burn as they have barely put a foot wrong, but the younger duo haven't either, and they are the future.
The ultimate goal is the back four of Thiaw and Botman flanked by Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, but fitness issues are preventing that from happening right now. When it does, we'll have a defence that matches our midfield in terms of quality.
