Eddie Howe set to take major Nick Pope risk ahead of Everton clash

The Nick Pope debate has become unavoidable at Newcastle United. Once a model of consistency since arriving from Burnley in 2022, the 33-year-old is now enduring the roughest patch of his Magpies career. His error against Marseille — charging out and gifting Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang an equaliser — intensified scrutiny, but Eddie Howe appears unwilling to abandon his No.1.

According to The Athletic, the “likelihood” is that Pope will start away at Everton on Saturday, despite calls from sections of the fanbase for Aaron Ramsdale to be given a chance. Howe reiterated after the Marseille defeat that Pope had been “excellent” against Manchester City only days earlier, notably forcing Erling Haaland to rush a shot wide with his trademark aggressive sweep.

That duality — one brilliant read, one disastrous misjudgement — is what has made Pope such a talking point. Newcastle’s defensive shape hasn’t helped him, but the spotlight remains firmly on the goalkeeper heading into a game that could define Howe’s short-term goalkeeping strategy.

Howe’s loyalty to Pope is rooted in the goalkeeper’s track record. For two seasons, Pope has been among the Premier League’s most reliable shot-stoppers, producing sequences of saves that kept Newcastle afloat in key matches. The manager believes the downturn is temporary and that ripping up stability would only deepen the problem.

There is also a psychological factor. Dropping a senior figure at the height of scrutiny can sometimes force pressure inward onto the squad rather than relieving it. Howe, who values emotional continuity within his dressing room, appears determined to avoid that scenario.

Yet he knows the stakes. As The Athletic noted, starting Pope again is “a risk” simply because public patience is wearing thin. Another high-profile mistake could shift frustration towards Howe himself.

For Newcastle, this isn’t just another league fixture. A trip to Goodison Park brings intensity, noise and constant aerial bombardment — circumstances that test a goalkeeper’s confidence and decision-making. Choosing Pope for this match signals full backing. But it also means the spotlight is brighter than ever.

From my experience covering Newcastle closely under Howe, this scenario mirrors previous moments where the manager doubled down on players during rough spells. Sometimes, that loyalty has paid off — particularly with defenders and midfielders. But goalkeepers are different. They live in the spotlight; their errors echo longer.

Although some analysts argue Ramsdale should start to “reset” the position, the nuance is that Newcastle’s defensive issues extend far beyond the goalkeeper. The team’s reaction to conceding against Marseille was poor collectively. Fixing those structural problems may do more for Pope’s form than dropping him.

Supporters frustrated with Pope’s recent displays increasingly point to Ramsdale as a viable alternative. The England international was signed with the expectation of real competition, and patience in some quarters is already running out.

The reality? Howe faces an impossible balance:

It’s a managerial fork in the road — and Howe is choosing stability over change, at least for now.

In our view, this decision reflects more than loyalty. Howe sees Ramsdale as a long-term option, but likely wants to avoid handing him the job by default due to a crisis. Managers often prefer planned transitions, not forced ones. But if Pope struggles again at Goodison Park, that transition could accelerate whether Howe wants it or not.

Howe has always backed his players publicly, but this decision may be his most delicate call of the season. Narratives form quickly around goalkeepers, and once confidence collapses, recovery can take months. The risk isn’t merely a mistake — it’s the pressure that follows it.

Although some supporters believe Ramsdale is the safer option, the nuance is that Everton away is the kind of match that can rebuild Pope’s confidence if it goes well. A dominant aerial performance, a key save or two — suddenly the crisis shifts into a blip.

But the flip side is brutally simple: one wrong moment, and the debate becomes a firestorm. And unlike outfield positions, you cannot hide a goalkeeper having a wobble.

From my perspective following Howe’s managerial patterns, this call reflects both loyalty and strategic caution. Howe does not want to create a story where Ramsdale becomes No.1 because Pope failed. He wants Ramsdale to take the spot organically — not through crisis management.

Newcastle travel to Goodison Park on Saturday in what may become a defining match for their goalkeeping hierarchy. A strong Pope performance could settle the debate for weeks. A shaky one could accelerate Ramsdale’s promotion.

👉 Should Howe stick with Pope — or is it time for Ramsdale to take over?