Eddie Howe could not make the subs he wanted to against Chelsea, claims Toon legend Shay Given
EDDIE HOWE could not make the substitutions he wanted to against Chelsea, according to Shay Given.
The Newcastle legend pinpointed two players the Magpies boss will have wanted to withdraw in their Carabao Cup exit on Tuesday.
His former club were dumped out on penalties at Stamford Bridge after conceding a stoppage time equaliser.
Having faded during the second half, Given was asked on Sky Sports if he thought Newcastle ran out of steam.
He agreed as he responded: “Possibly, you look at Chelsea’s bench then you look at Newcastle’s bench. I think there were two keepers.
“I know Matt Ritchie is more of an attacking player but the rest are fullbacks.
“You look at Almiron at times, maybe even Wilson, and you want to take them off for 20 minutes. Give them a bit of fresh impetus up top to get them higher up the pitch. But they couldn’t do that.
“You have to feel for Eddie and his staff because he’s got to trust the 10 that’s out there.”
Howe, who named just eight subs out of the permitted nine, made three changes during the match.
Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn replaced Sven Botman and the injured Emil Krafth at half-time.
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Anthony Gordon was then forced off just seven minutes later, with Matt Ritchie coming on in his place.
The remainder of his bench consisted of goalkeepers Mark Gillespie and Loris Karius, centre-back Paul Dummett and teenage defenders Alex Murphy and Lewis Hall.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino was able to use all five of his alterations, including the introduction of goalscorer Mykhailo Mudryk.
Krafth and Gordon’s injuries are the latest in a growing list of blows to Howe’s squad.
Newcastle now have 12 players sidelined in addition to Sandro Tonali’s season-ending suspension.
The Magpies are also now out of both the Carabao Cup and Europe ahead of their return to league action this weekend.
Howe will hope to snap their poor away streak and pick up a first league win on the road since September 24 at Luton on Saturday.