Eddie Howe may have been surprised that Newcastle United fans wanted Nick Pope dropped in favour of Aaron Ramsdale, according to Keith Downie.
Ramsdale replaced Pope for Newcastle United’s 4-1 win over Everton on Saturday, although it wasn’t the ruthless decision it first appeared to be.
Pope has suffered a groin injury at Newcastle and Howe refused to confirm if he would have started had he been fully fit.
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Ramsdale played well for Newcastle against Everton, although it remains to be seen if he keeps his place when Pope returns to full fitness.
Howe continues to back Pope despite a series of high-profile mistakes and Downie has revealed some interesting insight into what the Newcastle United manager may be thinking.
Eddie Howe may have been surprised to hear Newcastle fans wanted Nick Pope to be dropped
Speaking on a video posted on YouTube after the game, Downie confirmed he’d spoken to Howe on a one-to-one basis ahead of doing a Christmas special with Sky Sports.
He suggested that Howe looked slightly surprised when Downie told him that most of the Newcastle fans he spoke to following the Marseille game that they wanted Pope dropped.
“I actually said to Eddie, I had a one-to-one with him on Friday afternoon for a Christmas special that we’re doing looking back at the cup final,” said Downie.
“I said, look you know, pretty much every fan I’ve spoken to on the way home from Marseille wanted Ramsdale to be given a chance in goal.
“I think he was maybe a little surprised by that, that I’d said nearly all of them.”
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Obviously, the context of the game has to be taken into account.
Ramsdale was playing against a dreadful Everton side, while Pope’s last Premier League appearance came against a Manchester City side boasting Erling Haaland.
Against Everton, Ramsdale made one save, one high claim and five recoveries while conceding one goal.
Pope, meanwhile, made three saves against Man City, while also making four recoveries and one high claim.
Everton just didn’t test Ramsdale enough to draw any definitive conclusions from. The Spurs game on Tuesday may be the better indicator going forward.
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