Not many Newcastle United players had a tougher afternoon than Martin Dubravka on Sunday.
Eddie Howe watched his injury-hit Newcastle United side suffer a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, days after a damaging defeat at Goodison Park.
You could argue that Martin Dubravka, who is standing in between the sticks for the injured Nick Pope, was at fault for three of the goals yesterday.
Alan Shearer made it clear that he would be ‘amazed’ if he isn’t replaced and a new goalkeeper isn’t brought in during the January transfer window, as he told Premier League Productions (10/12/23 at 6:40 pm).
The legendary striker added, in a pretty brutal and blunt fashion, ‘there is a reason why Martin Dubravka has been number two’.
On one hand, that is absolutely correct and a new keeper, more than likely, will come in.
But, on the other, you make one mistake as a keeper and it’s going to be highlighted more than most and it’s probably not easy coming back in from the cold like Martin Dubravka has done.
Newcastle United beaten at Tottenham
“There is a reason why he has been number two,” said Shearer. “I mean, Nick Pope has been brilliant for Newcastle.
“After having not played for such a long time, I get that it’s difficult to come into the team.
“But it wouldn’t surprise me, at all, if Newcastle were to go out and get a replacement for Pope in the next couple of weeks.
“It has to be. If he gets injured, then they are in trouble, so to prepare and plan. I would be amazed if they aren’t looking at different ideas now in getting another goalkeeper in – it would amaze me if they haven’t already discussed options in what to do in the next couple of weeks.”
Newcastle United goalkeeper options
Some felt that Dubravka deserved a shot at replacing Pope until he returns, but that clearly has now gone out of the window after his latest showing.
But there are a number of free agents going about for Newcastle to think about, including ex-Manchester United star, David de Gea.
You would argue that he is the safest bet because he is a free agent, but Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris is also being spoken about.
Either way, this is a big call Newcastle have to make and if they can get this one right, then it will have a huge bearing on what they do during the second half of the season.
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