"He surprised me a lot; he is very good with the ball, without the ball. He is quick, smart, breaking the lines. He and Sven are the future of this club. They are very comfortable with the ball, they don't feel the pressure. They have been amazing together."
"Even though Guimaraes scored the opening goal before Nick Woltemade's fourth goal in five starts from the penalty spot, it was Newcastle's rearguard which provided the foundation for a superb victory. It is now five clean sheets in seven league games this season, and a huge reason for the latest was the burgeoning relationship between Thiaw and Botman."
"Thiaw is the player Newcastle's defence has been crying out for. While Fabian Schar, who is back fit after a few games out to due concussion protocols, has never let Newcastle down and proven himself as one of Eddie Howe's most trusted lieutenants for a number of years, his age and lack of pace, particularly when partnered with Dan Burn, have always been cause for concern. Both are 33 and there needed to be a contingency plan. That is what Newcastle hoped Thiaw would be when he arrived."
Newcastle United beat Nottingham Forest at St James' Park with Bruno Guimaraes scoring the opener and Nick Woltemade converting a penalty. The win was underpinned by a strong defence, marking five clean sheets in seven league matches. Malick Thiaw, signed from AC Milan, has impressed with pace, ball skill, and line-breaking ability alongside Sven Botman. Fabian Schar’s experience remained valuable, but his age and relative lack of pace exposed a need for reinforcement. Thiaw's arrival, accelerated opportunities during Schar's brief absence, and the Thiaw–Botman partnership have strengthened Newcastle's defensive prospects.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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