Newcastle United fans voiced their displeasure at St James’ Park on Saturday when Eddie Howe decided to substitute midfielder Sandro Tonali just after the hour mark.
Tonali had been one of Newcastle’s standout performers as the Magpies dominated possession against Brighton. However, their ongoing struggles in front of goal once again proved costly, as they failed to create clear-cut chances. Brighton, meanwhile, capitalized on their one significant opportunity, which was enough to seal a 1-0 win.
Eddie Howe’s decision to substitute Tonali wasn’t based solely on performance In an effort to shake things up, Howe made changes just after the 60-minute mark, bringing off Sandro Tonali and Jacob Murphy, and introducing Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes. The decision to substitute Tonali was met with boos from the crowd, as fans were puzzled by the withdrawal of one of the team’s better players.
Speaking to Newcastle World, Howe explained that his decision wasn’t solely based on Tonali’s performance.
“I think he’s [Tonali] doing well, I had no issues with his performance today. He played well and was central to our dominance in midfield,” Howe said. “But I’m also mindful of the players’ international commitments and the fatigue they accumulate. Sandro was showing signs of fatigue, and that’s why we made the change. I don’t think the substitutions helped us today, and that’s something I’ll need to assess.”
Tonali’s fatigue is understandable It’s important to remember that Tonali spent 10 months without regular football before joining Newcastle, so it’s expected that he’ll take time to regain full match fitness. Overworking him too soon could risk injury, something Newcastle can’t afford right now.
After playing two matches for Italy followed by an intense game for Newcastle, it’s not surprising that he was showing signs of fatigue, even though he looked fine to spectators.
In fairness, the midfield isn’t Newcastle’s main issue; the real concern is their misfiring front line. Addressing the right-wing position should be a priority moving forward.
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