Burn is pivotal to how we play ... he has been an incredible signing for me
HOWE GIVES BACKING TO TOWERING TOON DEFENDER
EDDIE Howe has indicated he will not react to being “slaughtered” amid criticism over Dan Burn’s performance against Luton Town.
Burn was involved in two moments that allowed the Hatters to go 4-2 up before Howe decided to substitute him for Tino Livramento.
But the head coach yesterday launched a staunch defence for the 6ft 7in defender and described him as one of his “best signings” for the Magpies.
The brutal aftermath of the 4-4 draw with Luton resulted in some scathing social media criticism towards both Howe and Burn.
But the Magpies boss says he does not expose himself to anything external. When asked about the furore surrounding Burn this week, Newcastle United chief Howe said: “I understand that happens. That’s football, everybody has an opinion.
“Dan is such a big player for us. In loads of different ways, he is pivotal to how we play, without giving too many tactical things away.
“That’s why he was such a big miss when we lost him through injury. He is also a huge leader of the group and a very big presence physically and vocally.
“He has been an incredible signing for me, much better than I could have hoped because when we bought him we were in a dire situation and he was one of the players that helped galvanise the group.
“He is still doing that on a daily basis and I can’t speak highly enough of him.
“That does not guarantee him a place in the team, of course. But it’s just to understand his qualities.”
Livramento replaced Burn in the second half against Luton, and Howe remains a big fan of the young defender – and stressed his time would come.
“He is an outstanding player for the club and that is why I fought so hard to sign him,” Howe said.
“He’s a real talent. Athletically very good and of course his best years are ahead of him. I am the biggest fan of Tino there can be.
“His challenge of course has to be, his primary position is right-back, and he’s fighting with Kieran Trippier and we’ve spoken at length about his qualities and what he brings to the team.
“But he will no doubt get his time. And hopefully he will play a lot of games and be an outstanding player for this club.
“I do love him at left-back I think he’s done extremely well there considering it’s not his best side.”
Howe then reflected on what has been said about his selection process in the aftermath since the eightgoal clash with Luton.
Howe said: “Criticism is a strange
thing and I am sure I am getting absolutely slaughtered in the wider world.
“You know it’s happening but you don’t expose yourself to it. I don’t know what Dan is exposed to or not.
“I don’t know what has been said I don’t have a clue.
“From my side I prefer to keep myself away from it.
“I am sure Dan is the same because he’s experienced and every player in the squad will get criticised and they know they live in that world.
“I think as long as Dan feels the love internally. I am sure supporters value him greatly.
“A lot of the noise is coming from other sources. He needs to be celebrated for his career and for what he has done for the football club not the other way around.
“We will continue internally to give him as much love as possible.”
Howe also served up a reminder of Newcastle’s exact status just two years ago when the Magpies had money to spend but could not attract top stars.
Indeed, Diego Carlos, then of Seville, snubbed the chance to join
Newcastle at that time and Sven Botman’s agent also needed further persuasion to eventually sign after survival.
But not Burn. Howe said: “He has to be right up there as one of our best signings. You have to take yourself back to where we were. Attracting players was incredibly tough in 2022, so we only wanted players who wanted to come.
“Dan was desperate to play for Newcastle and has never lost that love and enthusiasm.
“He’s still Newcastle through and through.”