Newcastle boss makes admission on “clever” star after UCL snub

Newcastle United suffered defeat of their first Champions League group-stage sport at St James’ Park, shedding 2-1 to Barcelona.

The Magpies kicked off their European marketing campaign towards one in every of their hardest opponents, with Eddie Howe’s facet greeted by a raucous black-and-white crowd that created an environment able to unsettling Europe’s elite.

Newcastle regarded the stronger facet within the first half, dominating the opening half-hour and creating the higher possibilities.

Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes each went shut, however and not using a recognised striker on the pitch, the alternatives went begging on a couple of event.

Within the second half, Barcelona loanee Marcus Rashford struck twice with scientific finishes to place the guests within the lead and earn the Participant of the Match award.

Gordon ultimately pulled one again within the ninetieth minute, however it got here too late for Newcastle to search out an equaliser.

After the match, supporters had been left questioning Howe’s choice to depart new signing Nick Woltemade out of the beginning eleven.

The German striker – hailed “intelligent” by Match of the Day pundit Ashley Williams – had scored the profitable objective in Newcastle’s first Premier League win of the season towards Wolves simply days earlier, and lots of anticipated him to guide the road towards Barcelona.

Howe defined his reasoning within the post-match press convention:

“It was a very tough one for Nick. After all, any participant would need to begin each sport, however I’ve to attempt to handle him into the group and ensure he stays match.

“That was all the time on the coronary heart of this choice, particularly realizing that we have now Anthony suspended for the following sport as nicely.”

Talking once more forward of Sunday’s journey to Bournemouth, the Newcastle boss supplied extra perception into Woltemade’s scenario:

“We’re going to should take care of Nick. It’s arduous sufficient for him to come back into a brand new league – you can see the bodily results he felt with Wolves after which the short turnaround right here.”

“There’s no assure that even by managing him he’ll keep match, however we need to give him the perfect probability to adapt.”

“He’s made an excellent begin, and he did nicely when he got here on [against Barcelona]. He was concerned within the objective, so hopefully he’s in place.”

Will Woltemade Begin In opposition to Bournemouth?

With Gordon serving the ultimate sport of his home suspension towards the Cherries, it appears doubtless that Woltemade will begin on Sunday.

Newcastle are getting into a brand new period of their centre-forward function after promoting Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a whopping £130m.

The membership signed former Brentford striker Yoane Wissa for £55m on Deadline Day, however the brand new arrival suffered a knee damage on worldwide obligation earlier than making his debut.

Another choice is William Osula, although he has but to ascertain himself as a constant starter beneath Howe and didn’t function towards Barcelona.

Taking all this into consideration, Woltemade seems to be probably the most practical selection to guide the road on the south coast on Sunday afternoon.

With Newcastle keen to gather three factors away from dwelling, Howe could have little various however to belief his new striker from the beginning.