Newcastle fans have urged Eddie Howe to bench Nick Pope for Aaron Ramsdale after a tough first-half at West Ham.
The Magpies No.1 saw his side give away a 1-0 advantage to gift the Hammers their first half-time lead of the season.
nick pope error newcastle
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Pope's initial clearance was far from convincingCredit: Sky
nick pope error newcastle
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And then the shot went through his handsCredit: Sky
Pope couldn’t have done much about the second, a Sven Botman prod into his own net, but the first was instantly called out.
The ten-time England international pushed away a Crysencio Summerville cross into his six yard box, but only as far as Mateus Fernandes who shifted it to Lucas Paqueta for a crisp strike.
It was a tidy finish from the Brazilian, but as replays showed, Pope should’ve done better.
Explaining what had happened, talkSPORT’s Perry Groves said: “Nick Pope's gone down like a sack of potatoes.
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“He punched the initial cross that came in from Summerville and I don't think he's got his angles right.
“It's a good cushion header from Fernandes to Paqueta on his left hand side and as he just got it out of his feet with his left foot and put his laces for it.
“Maybe you might say that [Malick] Thiaw maybe sort of obscured his vision a little bit, but a top quality goalkeeper has got to do better than that because he's got two palms to it.
“He's actually palmed it in the back of his net.”
Pope had some pressure put on his position in the summer with the signing of former Arsenal regular Aaron Ramsdale, and some fans went as far as saying Eddie Howe should swap goalkeepers.
Ramsdale has played twice for Newcastle, both in the League Cup, and his most recent showing was a six save performance in a 2-0 win over Tottenham last time out.
Pope has come under fire for his first-half showing
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Pope has come under fire for his first-half showingCredit: Getty
It was back to the bench for Ramsdale against West Ham
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It was back to the bench for Ramsdale against West HamCredit: Getty
Taking to X to express their concerns, one Magpies fan said: "I'm not sure why Pope got back in after the game Ramsdale had.
“Pope can't catch a bloody ball, only we could make this West Ham team that has previously looked diabolical, look good.”
A second added: “No way Ramsdale lets that in. It beggars belief that you’re still playing Pope instead of him!"
While a third wrote: "Pope needlessly punching and causing the goal. All the while, Ramsdale sits on the bench."
Eddie Howe did make a triple change at half-time with Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade hooked at the break.
However, Pope did stay on the pitch for the second half but it may only be a matter of time before Ramsdale gets his chance.