Newcastle United Fans
Newcastle United’s new signing, Malick Thiaw, has expressed his determination to secure a regular spot in Eddie Howe’s starting XI. The former AC Milan defender has been surprised by the frequency of long balls in Premier League matches but is ready to adapt and prove his worth. With a wealth of centre-back options, including Dan Burn, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, and Emil Krafth, Howe faces the challenge of managing squad rotation while maintaining team harmony.
Malick Thiaw said: “As a player I came to play. But I trusted the coach and adapted first to the team and the tactics and to the Premier League as well. But I know we can keep improving. I think I am used to playing in a back four but three is not a problem, I am really flexible.”
Thiaw’s recent appearance in the 0-0 draw against Bournemouth saw him step in for Schar, showcasing his adaptability in a five-man defensive setup alongside Botman and Burn. The 24-year-old has been adjusting to the physical demands of English football, noting the significant presence of long balls and second-ball challenges in recent matches.
Thiaw said: “I am a physical player so I can adapt really well. Against Liverpool and Bournemouth there were a lot of long balls. The game wasn’t easy, it was a tough one. I was told before the game that going to Bournemouth is always tough and so I think it went as we expected. It was a game of a lot of second balls and long balls, but I think we did quite well.”
Despite the challenges, Thiaw remains optimistic about Newcastle’s potential for improvement. He emphasized the team’s mentality to aim for victory in every match while acknowledging the importance of focusing on small details to secure wins.
He said: “Our mentality is we should win every game – but we should not be sad. We had quite a good performance at Bournemouth but we always have to aim to be the best. We can also win games like Bournemouth but it is the small details. I think we will improve a lot in the future because it is just the start.”
As Newcastle prepares for their upcoming Carabao Cup tie at St James’ Park, manager Eddie Howe has stressed the importance of taking each match seriously, regardless of the opponent. With Bradford City next on the agenda, Howe is focused on defending their title and making a strong start in the competition.
Howe said: “We are not looking at Arsenal, we are looking at Bradford – massive game for us. We want to defend our title, and we want to make a really strong effort to do well in these early rounds. Bradford are top of the league, so we can’t underestimate them.”
With Thiaw’s commitment to adapting and Howe’s strategic focus, Newcastle aims to navigate the challenges of the Premier League and cup competitions successfully.
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