Newcastle United’s head coach, Eddie Howe, has faced criticism from fans after deciding to bench Malick Thiaw for the highly anticipated Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland on March 22. Thiaw has been a key player for Newcastle in his debut season, but a disappointing performance against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League may have influenced this decision.
Thiaw’s Performance and Bench Decision
Malick Thiaw’s recent form has been a topic of debate. Despite being a consistent presence in the starting lineup, he struggled during the recent match against Barcelona, which ended in a heavy 7-2 defeat for Newcastle. This loss impacted his standing, leading to his being benched against Sunderland.
The German defender, who joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £35 million in the previous summer, had started 26 of his 27 league games before the Sunderland match. Howe’s choice to place Thiaw on the bench resulted in Dan Burn partnering with Sven Botman in central defense.
Newcastle’s Starting Lineup Against Sunderland
Here’s how Newcastle lined up against Sunderland:
- Aaron Ramsdale – Goalkeeper
- Kieran Trippier – Right-back
- Dan Burn – Central Defender
- Sven Botman – Central Defender
- Lewis Hall – Left-back
- Nick Woltemade – Central Midfield
- Joelinton – Central Midfield
- Jacob Ramsey – Central Midfield
- Anthony Gordon – Forward
- Harvey Barnes – Wing
- Anthony Elanga – Wing
This lineup featured two key changes from the previous match against Barcelona, welcoming Botman and Woltemade into the starting formation.
Fan Reactions to Howe’s Decision
The decision to bench Thiaw did not sit well with a significant number of Newcastle supporters. Many expressed their concerns on social media, questioning Howe’s strategy:
- “Why of all days is this the day to drop Thiaw?”
- “He’s dropped Thiaw for keeping Dan Burn in? Are we serious?”
Former Newcastle legend Alan Shearer emphasized the necessity of a victory against Sunderland following the recent setback. The stakes are high for the Magpies, who are currently positioned 11th in the Premier League, just four points shy of European qualification.
This match presents an opportunity for Newcastle to seek redemption after suffering a 1-0 defeat in the previous fixture at the Stadium of Light. Fans hope for a stronger performance as the season progresses.
