Eddie Howe make Sven Botman U-turn after Newcastle United substitution against Bournemouth

Eddie Howe make Sven Botman U-turn after Newcastle United substitution against Bournemouth
Eddie Howe make Sven Botman U-turn after Newcastle United substitution against Bournemouth

Sven Botman had a tough afternoon during Newcastle United’s defeat to Bournemouth.

The Dutchman started at centre-back alongside Dan Burn, with Fabian Schar only fit enough for the Newcastle United bench due to illness.

The decision did not pay off, as Newcastle lost to Bournemouth to end their winning streak. As for Sven Botman, he was one of many Toon players who struggled. That resulted in him being substituted at half-time.

After the game, Eddie Howe stated that he took the 25-year-old off for tactical reasons.

“It was tactical for Sven,” he told the Northern Echo.

“I just thought we needed to make a change at that moment with the way the game was going. I thought we needed a natural right-footer in the side.”

Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Eddie Howe gives new reason for Sven Botman substitution against Bournemouth

However, the Newcastle United manager has now provided a different reason as to why he took Botman off against the Cherries.

Ahead of Newcastle’s game against Southampton, Howe was asked about Botman following his early substitution last Saturday.

“It was a challenge for Sven,” he said during his pre-match press conference.

“Fabby had been ill and wasn’t 100% fit.

“I think he [Botman] has been magnificent since his return, but obviously that was a challenge for him. I thought he looked a little bit fatigued in the game, naturally because he has been thrust into action which has been a great thing for him. Minimal time to think, straight back in. He’s got to find his rhythm. I think he’s been excellent in all respects.

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“It’s been a challenging few days for him. He’s one player we’ve tried to look after and he’s had a bit longer to recover. Hopefully Fabby is now over his illness too.”

Will Botman start for Newcastle United against Southampton?

Regardless of the reason for his decision, Howe now has another decision to make regarding Botman.

He must decide whether to start him against Southampton, or revert back to the tried and test partnership of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn.

It remains unclear what Howe will do. The only thing that feels certain is that Burn will start. He has been immense throughout the campaign, with Burn seen as Newcastle’s player of the season by Anthony Gordon.

Personally, I predict that Schar will return in place of Botman, with the 33-year-old featuring in Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle XI to face Southampton.

It is more natural to have a left-footer and a right-footer, while Newcastle know they need to be careful with Botman after his ACL injury.

Elsewhere, Callum Wilson will miss the game due to injury. However, he is not far away from a comeback, with Howe expecting the striker to return at the beginning of February.

Nick Pope could be back in the Newcastle squad after returning to training, but it feels probable that Martin Dubravka will retain his place in the starting XI.

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