Eddie Howe was penalized for Newcastle’s loss to Forest as a result of his inaction in the face of a “obvious” approach.
Newcastle had the lead at St. James’ Park, but Forest beat them 3-1. Former striker Chris Wood scored a hat trick, and Anthony Elanga set up two of them while causing Dan Burn a lot of trouble on the Magpies’ left side.
Burn was finally replaced by Tino Livramento at the hour mark. He had just come back from an illness, and Murphy was surprised that Howe hadn’t made the change sooner.
He said, “Sometimes tactics aren’t that hard.” “At home, Newcastle press and play a high line.” For Dan Burn on the left side, he hasn’t played in a while and is having a hard time getting back into shape. Forest played Elanga on the right hand side and decided to get the ball in behind that space down the right hand side every single chance they could.
“It was so deliberate and so clear from minute one, and to be fair to Elanga, he kept doing it. He kept running without the ball in behind that spot. This was the trend all through the first half especially.
“That’s been worked on by Nuno. He’s obviously talked about it, he’s seen the team sheet, Elanga on that right hand side is one of the quickest wingers in the Premier League by the way. He’s very tough to play against.
“Newcastle didn’t heed the warnings. Too often Forest didn’t get the final ball to [Elanga], but he was in oceans of room time and time again.
“I was amazed at half-time with Livramento on the bench that Eddie Howe didn’t change it because he’s such an intelligent manager, but he couldn’t see it. First ten seconds of the second half, what happens? Elanga gets the ball out right, beats Burn easily, whips it in and it should have been a goal.
“The reality was that the game was opened up and made easier for Forest by the space down that right hand side. Over half of the attacks were down the right hand side, and I think Nuno deserves credit because it was a clear ploy.”