Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has told his players they have to earn the right to play in his team and they can only do that by performing on the pitch.
Sunday’s 2-1 win over Wolves was notable for the triple change the Magpies boss made at half-time with his side trailing. One substitution was enforced due to an injury to striker Alexander Isak but the other two saw Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes come on and combine for the latter’s brilliant match-winning goal late on.
The move showed something of a ruthless streak from Howe but he said he wanted to engender a healthy rivalry within the squad.
“I think we had a few players who would have been disappointed not to start,” said Howe. “The most important thing is the players respond in the right way and their best chance of playing n the next game is how they play on the pitch.
“With the strength of the bench we need the pressure on the players knowing if they don’t perform they wont play. That’s a healthy dynamic as long as the players handle it in in the right way. I’m confident we can get the dynamic – but that doesn’t guarantee you results.
“One or two injuries and we are back where we were last year and we don’t have the ability to make the changes we want to.”
Making three substitutions at the interval is not particularly common but Howe felt it important to halt the momentum Wolves had built up through Mario Lemina’s goal midway through the half. However, the changes did not really make a significant impact until Fabian Schar’s speculative shot from 30 yards clipped the head of Craig Dawson to help deflect it over goalkeeper Sam Johnston.
“I just felt we needed a different energy in the team,” said Howe. “I think it is a reflection in the quality of players we have waiting to play. I was really pleased with the attitude as they entered the pitch and I thought they made a positive difference for us.”
