Fewer touches than Pope: Howe must bin Newcastle star who won just 3 duels

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United have been one of the Premier League’s most disciplined and organized sides under his leadership, but recent performances have exposed cracks that the manager can’t afford to ignore. In their latest outing, one particular player delivered a display so underwhelming that it raised eyebrows — not just among fans, but reportedly within the coaching staff too. When your goalkeeper, Nick Pope, registers more touches than an outfield starter, alarm bells start ringing.

The player in question struggled to make any meaningful impact and, worse still, won just three duels throughout the match. In a team built on intensity, work rate, and fight, those numbers are far below what Howe demands from his players. Newcastle’s philosophy under Howe revolves around pressing high, battling for second balls, and maintaining physical dominance — all of which this performance lacked.

It wasn’t just about statistics; it was about presence, or rather, the absence of it. Throughout the game, this player seemed detached from the rhythm of play. When Newcastle transitioned into attack, he offered little movement. When they were forced to defend deep, he failed to press or recover quickly enough. His contribution was minimal, and for a side aspiring for European qualification again, that simply isn’t acceptable.

Nick Pope, who is meant to be the team’s last line of defense, saw more of the ball — a worrying reflection of how isolated or ineffective the outfield player was. In modern football, involvement is key. Even when goals or assists don’t come, managers expect their forwards, midfielders, or defenders to contribute in other ways — whether through pressing, ball progression, or defensive cover. On this occasion, none of those boxes were ticked.

Newcastle’s strength lies in collective effort. Every player on the pitch has a defined role in maintaining the team’s aggressive tempo. That’s why performances like this stand out so starkly — they interrupt the system. The rest of the team worked tirelessly to maintain shape and press, but one weak link can undo that balance. And when that weak link is consistently underperforming, tough decisions have to be made.

Eddie Howe has shown before that he isn’t afraid to make those decisions. He’s benched senior players to maintain standards and has promoted younger talents willing to meet the physical and tactical demands of his system. The message is clear: effort and execution matter more than reputation. Newcastle’s success in recent years has come from that ruthless accountability.

In truth, this particular player has been struggling for weeks. Confidence seems low, touches are limited, and duels are being lost far too easily. Whether it’s fatigue, a lack of form, or a deeper tactical issue, the result is the same — Newcastle are carrying a passenger in key matches. For a club fighting for every inch in a congested Premier League table, that’s a luxury they can’t afford.

Howe has options waiting in the wings. Players like Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy, or even young Yankuba Minteh (when recalled) offer energy and tenacity that suit Newcastle’s high-octane style. Swapping underperformers for hungrier, more direct options could reignite the spark that’s been missing in recent games. Howe knows better than anyone that maintaining standards is crucial to avoiding a dip in form.

Another concern is body language. Supporters noticed a visible lack of urgency — loose tracking, half-hearted presses, and an overall disconnection from the team’s tempo. At St. James’ Park, where fans demand passion and commitment above all else, that kind of effort doesn’t go unnoticed. Newcastle fans can forgive mistakes, but they rarely tolerate a lack of fight.

With tougher fixtures looming, Howe cannot allow complacency to creep in. The Premier League is unforgiving, and a single weak performance can cascade into a run of poor results. The best managers act decisively, and Howe has built his reputation on exactly that — clear standards and accountability across the board.

Dropping this player, even temporarily, could serve as the wake-up call needed to restore balance. Sometimes, the best way to protect a player’s confidence is to take them out of the firing line, let them reset, and bring them back stronger. Right now, though, Newcastle can’t afford sentimentality. The team’s momentum depends on every player pulling their weight.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle thrive when everyone buys into the collective mission. That unity, intensity, and refusal to accept mediocrity have been the foundation of their rise. But when a player registers fewer touches than the goalkeeper and wins only three duels, it’s time for a rethink. If Howe wants to keep Newcastle in the top-six conversation, he must make a bold call — and that means benching the underperforming star before it’s too late.