Eddie Howe answers Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka question

In partnership with

The Mag

·2. März 2025

Eddie Howe answers Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka question

Eddie Howe has been asked the Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka question and answered it.

The NUFC boss asked the question ahead of the Newcastle v Brighton FA Cup match.

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A lively discussion amongst Newcastle United fans on the Nick Pope v Martin Dubravka question.

No surprise to see the answer Eddie Howe has given.

Eddie Howe asked Nick Pope or Martin Dubravka ahead of this Brighton FA Cup match:

“I think we take it on a game by game basis, as we do with all team selections.

“Part of the game is that players can change your mind either way.

“We are always looking to pick our strongest team and it is up to the players to confirm their place or not.”

I would be amazed if Eddie Howe changes back to Dubravka for this FA Cup match.

When he brought Nick Pope back in for the Forest match last weekend, I think that then the decision was made that Pope would now be back as number one and starting every game, in a run that will take in the Carabao Cup final as well, unless anything very significant happened to change his mind. Certainly nothing happening so far, in my opinion, that would make Eddie Howe think he should change back to Dubravka.

As per an article on The Mag by Dale Thompson on Saturday 1 March 2025:

‘Nick Pope has now started 69 Premier League matches for Newcastle United and conceded 75 goals, that is an average of 1.07 goals conceded per match.

To put that into perspective, since Pope arrived at St James’ Park, Martin Dubravka has started 33 Premier League matches and conceded 55 goals, at an average of 1.66 goals per game.

Over a full 38 match season, at those averages, Nick Pope would concede 40 goals and Martin Dubravka 63 goals.’

All remaining Newcastle United fixtures and the dates of the remaining FA Cup rounds, if needed:

Sunday 2 March – Newcastle v Brighton (1.45pm) – FA Cup fifth round ITV1

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 16 March – Newcastle v Liverpool (4.30pm) Carabao Cup final! Sky Sports

(Weekend of Saturday 29 March – FA Cup quarter-final weekend)

Wednesday 2 April – Newcastle v Brentford (7.45pm)

Monday 7 April – Leicester v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Sunday 13 April – Newcastle v Man U (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 16 April – Newcastle v Palace (7.30pm)

Saturday 19 April – Villa v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 26 April – Newcastle v Ipswich (3pm)