Eddie Howe’s reveal following Newcastle United’s defeat at Manchester United on Boxing Day would suggest that time may be up for one first team starter now.
A brilliant Patrick Dorgu strike was enough to seal Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Newcastle United in their Premier League game at Old Trafford.
Howe’s side dominated the game in the second half but, as is seemingly always the case with this Newcastle team, they failed to score in an away game.
Though it wasn’t a dreadful performance, Ruben Amorim’s side looked there for the taking at times during that second half.
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Still, Dorgu’s volley was enough to seal it for the hosts and while it was a fantastic display of technique, Aaron Ramsdale should perhaps have done better to stop it.
Ramsdale is under pressure to keep his starting berth now Nick Pope has returned to the squad and Howe’s comments after the game were interesting.
Eddie Howe hints Nick Pope could replace Aaron Ramsdale soon
Pope has returned for Newcastle following a groin injury that ruled him out of his side’s last seven matches.
Initially, seeing him on the bench was strange. If he was fit enough to make the squad, why didn’t he start?
However, it seems that starting Ramsdale was something that was enforced, rather than a show of faith in the Southampton loanee.
Well, that wasn’t very Christmassy 😡 Should Aaron Ramsdale have done better here?!
Clearance from Nick Woltemade wasn't great either…
The Newcastle United manager confirmed that Pope was only suffering from illness at Old Trafford.
As such, it would not be a surprise to see him start against former club Burnley on Tuesday and bring an end to Ramsdale’s run in the first team, given an assessment will be made before then.
“That [Newcastle’s No.1 goalkeeper] will be a position that will be discussed,” said Howe during his post-match press conference.
“Nick [Pope] was ill when he was warming up, so I don’t think there was any way that he could have played, but we will make an assessment before the next game.”
How Nick Pope compares to Aaron Ramsdale this season
Pope has been criticised by Newcastle fans this season, following a series of high-profile mistakes.
However, it’s not as if Ramsdale has been absolutely perfect in his absence. The clamour for him to be Newcastle’s starting goalkeeper appears to have died down of late.
Though it is worth mentioning that Ramsdale has played half as many games as Pope this season, his save percentage rate is well below that of his teammate’s.
Pope has a much better save percentage rate than Ramsdale this season, with former amassing 74.5% and the latter’s reading standing at just 53.3%.
Pope isn’t perfect but the statistics show that he is much better at saving shots.
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