Newcastle suffered another disappointing defeat to Chelsea on Monday evening with the team’s suspect defence once again under the microscope.
Sven Botman, who performed so well during his first season at St James’ Park, has come under heavy criticism for his displays in recent months.
After struggling once again versus Chelsea, supporters on X were scathing in their assessment of the Dutchman:
Botman needs a reality check ,believing his own hype
ā Paul Hutchinson (@hutchi10498) March 11, 2024
Botman not the same since coming back š
ā Garrett Clinton (@GarrettClint0n) March 11, 2024
Long staff with the worst performance by any Newcastle player all season. Botman looks a shadow of last season. Defensive shambles again
ā Becca š³ļøāā§ļøš³ļøāš (@Becky18921) March 11, 2024
What has happened Botman! Looks like he’s running through Bisto
ā Ewen Glass (@ewenglass) March 11, 2024
Iād say Murphy and Tino get a positive mention. Everyone else absolute shocking. Titus Botman miles off it. This 100% shows why we need to give Joelinton whatever he wants to stay
ā callum forth (@callumforth) March 11, 2024
Dan Burn and Botman. Horrible all season
ā Bruno G (@Bruno_Gaza) March 11, 2024
Botman has not been the same since returning from injury
As some fans have pointed out, the 24-year-old has looked well off his game after recovering from a knee injury that kept him out for two and a half months.
After Botman returned to action in mid-December, his team have looked very poor at the back, conceding 27 goals in the last 11 league games.
It’s very strange considering how good the Magpies were defensively with Botman and Fabian Schar as the two centre-halves last campaign.
Newcastle’s season is in danger of petering out
Hopes of Champions League qualification have been extinguished in recent weeks. Eddie Howe‘s side now find themselves 15 points adrift of Aston Villa in fourth and 13 off Tottenham in fifth.
If they don’t get their act together soon, finishing in the Europa League and Europa Conference League places could be put in jeopardy too, with teams around them in the table being in much better form.
