Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has voiced his support for Dan Burn in the face of recent criticism aimed at the player. During a press conference on Friday, Howe expressed his belief that Burn has played a vital role for his childhood club.
In last week’s Premier League match against Luton Town, Howe entrusted Burn with the left-back position in Newcastle’s starting lineup. However, the 31-year-old encountered difficulties during the game, particularly in dealing with the speed of Chiedozie Ogbene in a thrilling encounter at St James’ Park.
Burn’s performance included conceding a penalty, which was converted by Carlton Morris to bring the score to 3-2 in the 59th minute. He was also caught out of position when Elijah Adebayo scored to make it 4-2 in favor of Luton Town shortly after. In response, some Newcastle supporters chanted “Tino, Tino” in the hopes that Howe would substitute Burn with summer signing Tino Livramento.
Howe made the substitution in the 64th minute, and Newcastle eventually secured a 4-4 draw thanks to subsequent goals from Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes.
During a pre-match press conference, the Magpies manager emphasized that the £13 million acquisition has been crucial for Newcastle and has exceeded his initial expectations.
“I understand that football is a game of opinions, but Dan has been an integral player for us in many ways,” stated Howe. “He plays a pivotal role in our style of play, and his absence was sorely felt. He is a tremendous leader and a physical presence. He has been an outstanding signing for me and has surpassed my expectations.”
As a lifelong fan of Newcastle United, Burn has undoubtedly been a key player in Eddie Howe’s system. While he may not have one standout attribute, his well-roundedness makes him a significant asset to the team.
According to the Source caughtoffside.com