Newcastle United’s long winning streak came to an end on Saturday night with a desultory loss.
On a night when Newcastle’s injuries and suspensions came up to them, the Magpies lost at Bournemouth 2-0. The Cherries secured a crucial victory, leaving a beaten and wounded Toon squad unable to stop them.
After their journey to Dortmund, Newcastle came into the game fatigued, and their situation worsened when Miguel Almiron was forced off due to an injury. Ben Parkinson, 18, made his competitive debut, and Lewis Miley, 17, got his first Premier League start. Furthermore, Matt Ritchie, who is 34 years old, was made to perform for an hour. That demonstrates how overworked Newcastle was.
As the game progressed, defeat seemed more imminent. It was tiresome to watch, like old-school Toon teams. At full time, a supporter got into a terrible argument with Kieran Trippier regarding the performance, which caused even more animosity in the fans.
It’s true that fatigue kills, and on Saturday night it certainly did. Furthermore, Toon veteran Alan Shearer thinks that after a string of intense games, even Eddie Howe appears broken.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer thinks even Eddie Howe is tired
Shearer, Gary Lineker, and Micah Richards discussed Newcastle’s fatigue on the most recent episode of The Rest Is Football podcast.
He said, “They just looked shattered.”
“Even Eddie appeared worn out during his post-game interview. You remember when he remarked that we were probably playing this game too much? It’s [hard] the pressure and stress they endure. He’ll also need to take a nap.
“I think he’ll give his fit players a break, and the unfit players will come in every day for treatment until, hopefully, a few of them are ready in a few weeks.”
International break is perfect for Howe and Newcastle
Howe appeared powerless on Saturday night, particularly during a critical moment when Sean Longstaff suffered an injury after blocking the ball. Longstaff’s visible pain signaled the necessity for him to leave the field.
Caught on camera, Howe looked disheartened at this juncture, shaking his head and appearing shocked by the unfolding events. It seemed as though he was grappling with the question, ‘What should I do now?’
While the arrival of an international break is typically disappointing, this one comes at an opportune moment for Newcastle. The break provides Howe and his team with a valuable chance to recuperate and recharge, and it also presents an opportunity for some of their injured players to make progress toward returning to the lineup.
With a two-week gap in their schedule, Newcastle can use this period strategically, given the challenging fixtures awaiting them upon their return, including matches against Chelsea, PSG, and Manchester United.
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