Opinion

In the match on Sunday, Newcastle United had their third choice option at right-back, NUFC also had the club’s third choice at left-back.

At right-back, first choice is Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier as back up, with Emil Krafth third choice.

At left-back, first choice is Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento (or Kieran Trippier?) as back up, with Dan Burn third choice.

With Kieran Trippier (illness), Tino Livramento (injured) and Lewis Hall (back on the bench as he recovers from injury and clearly not fully fit) all unavailable for the starting eleven, that meant Emil Kraft and Dan Burn were the full-backs.

Now I am not just blaming this pair for the defeat and poor team performance, they were in good company. Indeed, I thought Dan Burn was one of our least worst players at the London Stadium and certainly showed a bit more energy than most, which wasn’t difficult.

However, I think both Dan Burn and Emil Krafth ended up being part of the problem on Sunday, rather than part of the solution. They actually both played as well on Wednesday and the pair were decent against Spurs, this though against West Ham ended...