Another Bournemouth blank for Eddie Howe as Newcastle are held

"This season will once again be a balancing act for Eddie Howe. Newcastle struggled to adapt to the schedule during their first Champions League campaign for two decades in 2023-24 and there is a clear strategy to manage workloads this time around. Three days after defeat by Barcelona at St James' Park, a goalless draw for Howe here on his return to Bournemouth to face a side in good form will feel like a job well done."

"Newcastle made six changes to the team that lost in Europe on Thursday, only one of them enforced as Nick Woltemade returned to the lineup with Anthony Gordon serving the last match of his suspension. A back five was deployed and sat stubbornly in their own third to begin with. Andoni Iraola kept the visitors guessing, switching his wingers more than once in the opening exchanges."

"Jacob Murphy, only a second-half substitute against Barcelona, was Newcastle's biggest threat. He had their best chance of the half when he combined with Woltemade and Sandro Tonali before having a shot saved by Djordje Petrovic. It was perhaps no surprise that, by the time the half-time whistle went, there was a feeling that both teams were cancelling each other out."

Eddie Howe faces a balancing act as Newcastle manage the demands of a Champions League and Premier League schedule by limiting workloads. Newcastle made six changes after the Barcelona defeat, including the return of Nick Woltemade, and deployed a back five that sat deep early on. Bournemouth created openings through David Brooks and Tyler Adams, with an Evanilson assist ruled offside. Jacob Murphy emerged as Newcastle's main threat before halftime, with his shot saved by Djordje Petrovic. Both sides appeared to cancel each other out by half-time. Howe's tactical familiarity with Andoni Iraola's Rayo Vallecano informed his preparation, and a late penalty appeal involving Woltemade and Bafode Diakite angered travelling supporters.

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