Howe drops early hint on Newcastle vs Spurs team selection – 7 ones to watch?
Eddie Howe has been discussing tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Spurs and the importance of getting the balance right with his team selection.
Asked if he’ll rotate, considering our packed schedule and this being our fourth game in 12 days, the boss revealed the need to ‘trust his squad’ and hand opportunities to some ‘very good players’ who are desperate for an opportunity to impress.
While wholesale changes feel highly unlikely, with Howe set on naming a strong side against a Spurs team who’ve not lost away all season, his pre-match comments point towards a few changes:
“It is important for this game to make the right decision; we want to progress. The competition means a lot to us, we are current holders, we don’t want to give that up easily.
“However, I have to trust the squad. We have some very good players who need the football and an opportunity to show their talents. I need to try and get the balance right.”
These comments leave you wondering if the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Fabian Schar, Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga and Will Osula could come into contention tonight.
From the above, only two (Elanga and Ramsey) have started any of our last three games since we returned from the international break, with fringe players like Emil Krafth managing just 61 minutes in all competitions.
That said, Howe has talked up the importance of maintaining a ‘good groove’ and ‘rhythm’ to his side, meaning anyone suggesting eight or nine changes may be dissapointed:
“They’ve got in a good groove and rhythm, knowing this season will be all about playing and then resting and then preparing again for the next game.
“Very limited training, but the different focuses are a good thing and we want to stay in as many competitions as we can.”