SHOCKING BLUNDER ROCKS NEWCASTLE! Eddie Howe DEMANDED to AXE Star Player IMMEDIATELY After CATASTROPHIC West Ham Mistake – Fans in UPROAR!
Newcastle supporters call on Eddie Howe to drop Nick Pope in favour of Aaron Ramsdale following shaky first-half display against West Ham.
Newcastle United goalkeeper Nick Pope came under heavy scrutiny after his side surrendered a 1-0 lead to hand West Ham their first half-time advantage of the season.
The England international had little control over the second goal — a Sven Botman own goal — but his role in the first was widely questioned.
The incident began when Pope parried a Crysencio Summerville cross into the middle of his six-yard box.
The rebound fell kindly to Mateus Fernandes, who calmly laid the ball off for Lucas Paqueta to fire home.
Although the Brazilian’s finish was sharp and composed, replays suggested Pope could have done far better in dealing with the initial cross.
Providing his analysis on talkSPORT, former Arsenal man Perry Groves was scathing in his assessment: “Nick Pope’s gone down like a sack of potatoes.
He punched the initial cross from Summerville and didn’t set himself properly. Fernandes cushioned the header perfectly to Paqueta, who struck it cleanly with his left.
Maybe [Malick] Thiaw blocked his view slightly, but top goalkeepers have to do better — he got both palms to it and still managed to push it into his own net.”
Pope’s form has already been under the microscope following Newcastle’s summer signing of ex-Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The newcomer’s arrival was seen as strong competition, and after Ramsdale impressed with a six-save performance in the Magpies’ 2-0 League Cup win over Tottenham, calls for a switch between the sticks have intensified.
Some Newcastle supporters voiced their frustration online. One fan wrote: “I don’t understand why Pope started after Ramsdale’s performance.
Pope can’t catch a ball — we’ve made this West Ham side look good.” Another added: “Ramsdale saves that every day. It’s madness that Pope keeps his place.”
A third commented: “Pope’s needless punch caused the goal, while Ramsdale just watches from the bench.”
Manager Eddie Howe responded at half-time with a triple substitution, replacing Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade among others, but kept faith in Pope for the remainder of the match.
Still, after this latest mistake and the growing fan pressure, it may only be a matter of time before Ramsdale is handed his Premier League opportunity.
