It was a budding start to the year for Newcastle United, and when they welcomed Barcelona to St James Park, they had more adversity in their first Champions League appearance of the season.
Newcastle’s European campaign began with a defeat. Marcus Rashford was doubled and won two epic strikes after half the close-to-added opening when Eddie How Leuning left a missed chance.
The manager made the bold decision to leave Nick Urtemedy from the starting lineup after the 23-year-old won a debut winner against the Wolves last weekend. Anthony Gordon replaced him.
It may have proven to be a wise call, but for some tinsel finishes, Harvey Burns is in charge of it and is also in Tyneside.
Harvey Burns dropped Howe to Barcelona and Barcelona
With Gordon on the top, Burns recreated his role in the left flank. It wasn’t the best start to the 27-year-old season, playing five games in the Premier League and Europe without registering goal involvement.
And he struggled against the refined and stylish La Blaugrana. Not only did he miss a good chance to score, he failed with all of his crosses and didn’t even try to win statistics courtesy of Sofa Scole.
Jules Kaunde whipped with a neat delivery for the three Lions stars mounted in the house with headers from around 12 yards. Burns had to close the French defender, who had space and time to find the target.
Woltemade hopes to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, with Burns sweating in his starting berth, making sure Gordon’s Gordon is definitely seeing his return to his natural position in the flank.
But Burns wasn’t the only one who flattered him to deceive, as Jollington couldn’t pack a punch into the engine compartment.
Why should I drop Jollington?
Sometimes it may seem unthinkable that Jollington should be dropped from Newcastle’s starting lineup.
But it didn’t always work, and he reduced his height to silky opposition.
Chronicle Live was less merciless in post-match reviews, giving the Brazilian a 6/10 rating, but they admitted he lacked his usual biting and cruel efficiency against the aged, cohesive mid-middle.
However, such an analysis was probably generous. Jollington left a lot for the Spaniards to be desired.
Jollington took 27 touches in an hour on the field and lost the ball seven times. This is a slight equivalent under the ball concession with every four touches. This isn’t the sharpened midfield play needed for teams like Hansiflic’s Barcelona.
After picking up the yellow card in the first half, Jollington walked the tightrope walk. He won only three of the six conflict ground duels, tackling only one all night.
He caught his eye against the wolves last weekend, and now he was hoping he would return to shape, but that wasn’t a great start to the season due to his straightforward midfield presence.
Jollington vs Barcelona | |
|---|---|
Match statistics | # |
I played a few minutes | 62′ |
the goal | 0 |
assist | 0 |
touch | 27 |
Shot (on target) | 1 (0) |
The exact path | 13/19 (68%) |
Key Pass | 0 |
dribble | 0/0 |
Tackle | 1 |
clearance | 2 |
The duel won | 5/8 |
Data based on sofa score | |
With more technically dynamic options like Joe Wilk and Louis Miley waiting on the wing, I would recommend putting a 29-year-old on the bench with Cherry in order to make sure Howe renews things and keeps the midfield from stiffening and predicting in that pattern.
Jollington is an important part of this team, but this is a lot of the team and players are ready to step up and add different dimensions if necessary.
In this sense, there is a real deal to both Burns and Jollington step into the dugout before the weekend.
