The Magpies celebrated their victory at Old Trafford, but now face a defensive reshuffle for their upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur.
Eddie Howe acknowledges the challenge Newcastle United now faces after Fabian Schar’s suspension, leaving the team with a defensive dilemma as they enter 2025.
Schar is serving a two-match ban, meaning he will miss both the trip to Tottenham Hotspur and the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal. The situation is further complicated by an illness that has delayed Sven Botman’s recovery from a knee injury.
Howe expressed frustration over Schar’s booking, stating, “It’s a big blow for us and for him. We’ll have to adjust our back line, which has been so solid, and it’s a shame because Schar and Dan Burn have built a strong partnership. But this opens up an opportunity for someone else, and hopefully, it won’t affect the team too much.”
While Botman’s return could provide a direct replacement for Schar, Howe remains cautious. “Sven is getting closer, but he’s had a bit of illness recently. He’ll recover quickly, and we have the depth to cover any absentees,” he added.
Despite these setbacks, Howe was pleased with the team’s performance. Reflecting on their win, he said, “I’m not sure if it’s a statement win, but we knew we needed to keep building on our momentum. It was a strong, confident performance, and we’re happy to continue that at a ground where Newcastle hasn’t had much success in the past. Psychologically, it was a big step forward for us.”
Howe emphasized the importance of wins like this to achieve their goals and believes it will help the team grow in confidence. “We managed the game well and played really well in the first half, so I’m delighted with the team,” he concluded.
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