Newcastle United fans are torn as to whether under-fire goalkeeper Freddie Woodman should be dropped for Friday night’s clash with Leeds United.
The 24-year-old was heavily criticised for his two errors in the 4-1 drubbing against Manchester United on Saturday, a game where he gifted superstar Cristiano Ronaldo a brace on his Premier League return.
A leaky Magpies backline has shipped 12 goals in just four Premier League games already this season, with a game against Marcelo Bielsa’s ultra-attacking outfit next up at St James’ Park.
Woodman - who won the U20 World Cup with England in 2017 - accepted responsibility for the defeat on social media afterwards, admitting that his performance 'wasn’t good enough' at Old Trafford.
Who would replace Woodman in the Newcastle side?
Karl Darlow impressed this time last year when first-choice Martin Dubravka was sidelined due to a freak injury he occured while on international duty with Slovakia, but lost his place in following a poor display, ironically, at Old Trafford back in February.
Darlow returned to the matchday squad for the first time this season following his long battle with coronavirus, and some Toon fans are calling for him to be reinstated between the sticks.
Should the young goalkeeper be given a chance to redeem himself?
Woodman is fresh off the back of an impressive two-year loan spell at Swansea City where he racked up almost 100 appearances in the Championship, but he has played just four games in the top flight in his career so far - all of them coming this season under Steve Bruce.
The club have been patient with Woodman - son of former goalkeeping coach Andy - with the youngster being on Newcastle's books since 2013, but there were reports in the summer linking him to Arsenal amid the Joe Willock transfer saga.
Other Newcastle fans feel it would be too soon to ditch the young goalkeeper, pointing towards the long-term impact that dropping him from the side could cause.
Another option for Steve Bruce could be Geordie-born Mark Gillespie, who has made three cup appearances for the Magpies but is yet to represent the club in the Premier League.
When Dubravka returns to full fitness at the end of next month there will be a real competition for the number one jersey on Tyneside, with three goalkeepers unlikely to be happy with the outcome Bruce comes up with.