Newcastle United assistant coach Jason Tindall believes Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka have a similar level of quality, via Chronicle Live, sparking some Toon fans to react online.
Tindall followed Magpies boss Eddie Howe to St James’ Park earlier this month to replace Steve Bruce in the dugout. He also oversaw last week’s 3-3 draw with Brentford, as Howe watched from home after testing positive for coronavirus.
Howe will now take his seat on the Newcastle bench for the first time away to Arsenal on Saturday. And the former Bournemouth boss must decide which goalkeeper should play.
Darlow has guarded the Newcastle net in United’s last eight Premier League games and has shipped 15 goals. He replaced Freddie Woodman, with Dubravka absent with foot surgery.
Dubravka is fit to play again after returning to the matchday squad against Chelsea prior to the international break. He also played 90-minutes for Slovakia during a 6-0 win in Malta.
Tindall does not see a great deal of difference between Darlow and Dubravka, and feels Howe is blessed to have such a wealth of talent to select at goalkeeper with Newcastle.
“I can only judge both goalkeepers from my time here, seeing them on a daily basis,” he said. “Both ‘keepers are very good.
“The football club is lucky to have two good goalkeepers of the quality of Karl Darlow and Martin Dubravka. So, I think both are very good and possess different attributes.”
Newcastle fans react to Tindall comments on Darlow and Dubravka
But Tindall’s comments on Darlow and Dubravka have stunned some Newcastle fans, who have been reacting on social media.
That’s because they see a clear difference between the 31 and 32-year-old stoppers’ skills.
Along with conceding 15 goals in eight games so far this term, Darlow is yet to keep a clean sheet. He was also error-prone against Brentford, which allowed Ivan Toney to score.
Additionally, Darlow conceded 43 goals in 25 Premier League games last season to four clean sheets. Dubravka, meanwhile, kept three shut outs and conceded 19 in 13 outings.
So, here are some of the messages Newcastle fans shared on Tindall’s early verdict on Howe’s options, Darlow and Dubravka…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
