IT was former England rugby union head coach Eddie Jones that coined the term ‘finishers’ to describe the players sitting on his replacements’ bench. In Jones’ mind, a failure to make the starting line-up did not diminish a player’s ability to influence the outcome of the game. In certain circumstances, it might actually increase it.
Eddie Howe doesn’t necessarily agree with Jones’ terminology, but when it comes to the general thrust of what the former rugby chief was attempting to convey, Newcastle United’s head coach is a staunch advocate. As Howe is increasingly demonstrating with the Magpies, the astute use of the substitutes’ bench is becoming an integral part of the manager’s art.
“I haven’t really introduced any terminology, although I do believe in the importance of your substitutes,” said Howe, in the wake of Wednesday night’s exhilarating 5-1 evisceration of West Ham. “The word substitute can sometimes have negative connotations – for me, they are hugely important, and will probably become even more important in the future as football progresses.
“Certainly, with the speed of the game, and how quick the game is getting now, I think they’ll carry on becoming even more relevant and important in the future.”
Newcastle’s last two matches have provided a vivid illustration of the importance of attacking players leaving the bench. Against Manchester United at the weekend, Callum Wilson replaced Alexander Isak and headed home the goal that confirmed the Magpies’ 2-0 win. On Wednesday, at the London Stadium, the roles were reversed, with Isak replacing Wilson and lofting home the chip that resulted in Newcastle’s fourth goal.
Howe likes his side to play an aggressive front-foot game, with attackers closing down their opponents at every opportunity and straining every sinew to break into the 18-yard box to support attacks.
That intensity comes at a huge physical cost. Newcastle’s forwards are regularly in the Premier League’s top ten for yards covered in a game, and as Howe readily admits, the all-action style he is attempting to inculcate makes huge physical and mental demands on whoever is on the pitch. By the time the clock is ticking to the hour mark, why wouldn’t you want to turn to your bench to bring on fresh legs and fresh minds?
“I would never say to a player, ‘You’re only going to play for 60 minutes’ or ‘You’re a 60-minute player’ because I don’t think that’s healthy for their brain,” said Howe. “But with the way that the game is going, and the way that we want to play, I don’t think it’s a bad thing for me to be thinking about making changes at that time. I think it gives the player coming onto the pitch long enough to get into the game. But I think it has to depend on the game, the situation and what players you have.”
With Miguel Almiron currently the only player nursing a long-term injury, Howe’s squad is deeper now than at any other stage this season.
Wednesday’s bench in east London contained Isak, the Magpies’ club-record signing, Anthony Gordon, their flagship January addition, and Joe Willock, who had arguably been the Man of the Match against Manchester United just three days earlier.
Almiron’s return, which should come in the next two or three weeks, will strengthen Howe’s hand even further, and as well as being players who are than more than capable of featuring in the starting XI, Newcastle’s current substitute options boast an athleticism and energy that makes them ideal candidates to positively influence a game late on.
“I think there’s been that feeling from myself,” agreed Howe. “In the last two games, I’ve been able to turn to the bench very quickly, in positive situations, to try to make them more positive. With five substitutions now, I believe in trying to make early substitutions to try to change the game, whether you’re winning or losing. I think it’s a big part of the game.”
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The one exception to that rule comes in the backline, where Howe readily admits he is much more loath to make alterations. While Matt Targett and Javier Manquillo might have come on as substitutes against West Ham, they were only introduced in the final five minutes when the game was well and truly won. And while Howe is likely to chop and change between Isak and Wilson for the remainder of the season, he will not be swapping Jamaal Lascelles for either Fabian Schar or Sven Botman unless an injury forces his hand.
“I am a believer in a consistent back four,” said Howe. “That is an area of the team I would not want to rotate too much if possible, so all of the defenders that have found themselves out of the team have been victims of the consistency of the players that have played. I actually didn’t think we were at our best defensively against West Ham, but in general, the defensive record has been very strong.”
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