It never rains but it pours. After Newcastle United fans learned that Joe Willock would be unavailable for another six weeks more bad news followed with Eddie Howe sayin Sven Botman may not be fit for Brentford.
Three defeats in a row, an extended spell on the sidelines for Joe Willock and now it looks like Newcastle could be without Sven Botman for the Brentford game too.
Botman missed last night’s devastating defeat to Brighton after failing a late fitness test, but the feeling around the club was that he’d at least be available for the game at St James’ Park in two weeks.
Eddie Howe now doesn’t know if Botman will be fit for Brentford
However, in an interview with NewcastleWorld Eddie Howe has cast some doubt on that too after being asked about Botman’s status, saying: : “Unknown, to be honest. I hoped he might have been fit for this game but he didn’t feel too good yesterday [Friday] so he was ruled out. We’ll see how quickly he improves.”
It was extremely clear last night just how much Newcastle rely on Sven Botman to keep us solid at the back. Without the 23-year-old Dutchman in the side last night the defence looked absolutely lost. Fabian Schar and Dan Burn didn’t know if they were coming or going.
Botman is by far the youngest member of the back line but it’s clear that he’s the one that keeps it ticking and not knowing if he’s going to be fit is a huge cause for concern.
Newcastle’s failure to sign a new centre-back is already haunting them
It was this exact scenario why I kept banging on about signing a centre-back this summer. Granted we needed a right-sided centre-half, but if we’d recruited well I’m sure they could have filled in for Botman if needed.
Dan Burn and Jamaal Lascelles just aren’t good enough to deputise for the “Rolls Royce”. Burn has been doing brilliant at left-back, and despite LCB being his favoured position, he looked lost last night.
Fingers crossed the two-week international break is enough for Botman to shake off this knock and get back to full fitness because free-scoring Brentford aren’t going to be a pushover.