Why bring on these Newcastle United substitutes, these key players, at the end of the Tottenham cup game?
Wednesday’s win against Tottenham with a team of mostly squad players, is exactly what we need this season, but why bring on Joelinton, Trippier, Bruno and Gordon for short cameo’=s when the game was won ?
The unnecessary risk is palpable: a stray tackle or an innocuous slip could bring a red card or serious injury, potentially costing us a key senior player for months.
Newcastle are in four competitions this season and many of our players are regularly playing for their countries during international breaks. So 60+ high intensity games for a player across a season is an impossible ask. Player rotation is essential to ensure we spread the load and have our best players fresh and fit for the most important games.
Is it a coincidence that Sandro Tonali was man of the match against Tottenham, having played only 20 mins over the previous two games ? He was literally everywhere on the pitch on Wednesday, not once easing up or looking tired. There are obvious benefits to resting senior players and having them fit and fresh.
Playing the ever-reliable Emil Krafth at full-back was the correct rotation. Yet, he was replaced by 35-year-old Kieran Trippier for the final 20 minutes. Why? When comfortable at 2-0, Krafth – a 50-cap Swedish international – is perfectly capable of seeing out the win. This substitution makes zero tactical sense when focused on minute management
Bruno is almost an exception. he is an ever present in the team, and as captain he is obviously desperate to be on the pitch. But I believe we need to protect Bruno from himself. His overall form has dipped over the past year. A few strategically planned games on the bench could be the key to seeing him return to his world-class best alongside Tonali.
I can make similar arguments for Joelinton – but even more infuriating is bringing on Gordon in the 89th minute. Why?
We don’t need another goal, he is not going to bolster the defence, Elanga did not need to come off. If a change was necessary, it should have been an opportunity for future star Lewis Miley to get more minutes, not for a crucial first-teamer to risk injury for a few minutes of play.
The flip side is taking off senior players and bringing on squad players when a game is won. We have got this aspect of team management in hand with sensible tactical decisions seen in previous games such as taking Woltemade off and bringing on Osula.
I think Wednesday’s Newcastle United substitutions were an unnecessary gamble. Nobody was visibly tiring, we did not need another goal, there were no tactical issues to address and Tottenham were beaten.
I expect that Krafth, Willock and Ramsey wanted a full 90 minutes to push their case for a starting spot. Eddie Howe needs to trust his squad players more and fully embrace strategic rest. I remain confused by the thinking behind these decisions, and for the sake of the season, hope this approach is not repeated.
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