Eddie Howe must ponder whether to bring in Aaron Ramsdale for the Manchester United clash this week
Newcastle United goalkeepers Nick Pope (left) and Aaron Ramsdale
Newcastle United goalkeepers Nick Pope (left) and Aaron Ramsdale(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope dropped a clanger against Everton during a bitter defeat against David Moyes' side as his indifferent campaign continued.
Pope, who made mistakes against Marseille, Brentford away and West Ham away, was under fire in the immediate aftermath of the five-goal encounter against the Toffees. But his head coach, Eddie Howe, refused to bite on questions of replacing the ex-Burnley man.
Man City keeper James Trafford's uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium would make him a candidate for a Toon switch. But Howe said last night: "It's difficult for me to comment on any one player or any one position. Just collectively, we've got to defend our goal better.
"That's everyone across the board. That's me taking responsibility for that first and then, of course, following that down to the players."
Howe could restore Aaron Ramsdale against Manchester United, but after an unconvincing season, the Southampton loanee may not offer much of an improvement between the sticks. Ramdale's own future is also up in the air as Newcastle decide on whether to make the deal a permanent switch.
Either way, Newcastle may have to limp through the rest of the season with two keepers playing with dented confidence.
Jacob Ramsey's bizarre substitution explained
The midfielder had only just netted his first goal at St James' Park before he was forced off the pitch at the start of the second half. Ramsey was spotted vomiting and gagging before the club doctor Paul Catterson emerged immediately from the dugout.
Catterson then told the bench he had to come off, with Joe Willock instantly stripped and sent on to battle.
After the game, Howe explained: "It looked like an illness. The first I was aware was half-time. He felt like he could continue, but it was obvious at the start of the second half that he couldn't."
A dressing room of reflection
There was no Brentford-style inquest immediately after the game after the defeat to Everton.
The 3-2 loss to the Bees had resulted in some serious words being exchanged but with confidence frail, Newcastle stars must regroup quickly. They face in-form Man United on Wednesday and there is no let up on Tyneside.
Jacob Murphy was the nominated star to come out the dressing room and face the press, and said: "There's always a time and place for stern words and now we take a breather, let's all reflect, look back.
"First and foremost we know where mistakes happened and we've got to go forward and try and iron them out. We can't get hyper-emotional every time something doesn't go our way, it will just cause panic and that's something we try to stay away from."
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