Eddy
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United once again found themselves relying on late heroics from their substitutes to scrape a result, and while it worked this weekend, the pattern is becoming too familiar. The Magpies, who have ambitions of establishing themselves among the Premier League’s elite, cannot afford to keep leaning on Plan B when Plan A falters.
Against Bournemouth, Newcastle’s starting XI looked rigid and hesitant, struggling to carve open a side that pressed aggressively and dominated midfield. For large parts of the game, Howe’s men looked short of ideas, with their possession often sterile and their attacking patterns predictable. It was only when the manager turned to his bench that Newcastle came alive, with substitutes making the telling difference in the closing stages.
This isn’t the first time Howe has been bailed out by his super subs. Time and again, he has kept faith with underperforming starters, delaying bold tactical tweaks until the second half. While the squad depth at St James’ Park is an asset, it raises serious questions about Howe’s willingness to be proactive rather than reactive in big matches. In fixtures against direct rivals, waiting until the hour mark to introduce game-changers risks surrendering crucial momentum.
The concern is that Newcastle’s reliance on rescue acts from the bench could eventually backfire. The Premier League is unforgiving, and opponents will not always allow tired legs to be punished late on. A team that wants to compete consistently for Champions League places cannot afford such a cautious approach. Howe has earned praise for building a competitive side, but his reluctance to gamble from the outset could soon undo that progress.
If Newcastle are to step up from being outsiders to genuine contenders, Howe must trust his attacking options earlier and show the bravery to seize games before they slip away. Otherwise, relying on super subs may turn from a blessing into a costly weakness.
Eddy
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