Shay Given slammed Martin Dubravka and Ciaran Clark during their 4-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, as he told Premier League Productions (19/12/21 at 2:52 pm).
The former goalkeeper shared that the duo had an ‘argument’ after they conceded a ‘Sunday league’-like goal against the Premier League champions.
Before a ball was kicked, Newcastle knew the task they had to face to try and get anything from this Manchester City side.
But inside the first few minutes, there was a mix-up between Clark and Dubravka, who failed to deal with Joao Cancelo simply knocking the ball back into the danger area.
Either the man between the sticks or Clark himself had the simple task of collecting the ball or heading it away.
They did neither and Ruben Dias thanked the Newcastle duo for the early Christmas present and slotted home for the opening goal.
Ex-Magpies player Given shared his thoughts on Newcastle’s defending and what he would have done if he was in between the sticks.
“You would be disappointed if you saw that in Sunday league in the morning,” said Given. “It’s just a poor pass (from Dúbravka that led to a corner). He could maybe just pass it to Murphy on the right or clear his lines. He’s done neither.
“Of course, the goal comes from that. The goal is a mix of errors from different people. I don’t know if it’s the goalkeeper or Clark.
“If I am in goals, I am either shouting ‘keepers’ or ‘away’ and we are trying to work out, does he shout anything? We think he shouted ‘away’. I don’t know what Clark is doing here. You have a free header, just head it.
“They have an argument after and it’s a bit like Dubravka leaves a bit on Clark and Clark walks away with his head on to say ‘I should have headed it’.”
Nobody expected Newcastle to get anything from their last two matches, but they are still morale-sapping defeats, nonetheless.
It was evident before and it will be obvious to Eddie Howe now that he needs defenders to try and get the club out of their current mess.
Whilst Newcastle fans dream of someone coming in and shaking up their defence in January, they still have two more games coming up before the New Year comes around.
It starts with a home game against Manchester United, who have had their recent game postponed because of COVID, before they take on their old manager in Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park.
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