Newcastle United are still struggling to build any kind of momentum this season, and the defeat in Marseille only added to the frustration that keeps growing around the club.
After beating Manchester City in the Premier League, many fans hoped that result would signal a turning point, a moment where things finally began to move in the right direction. Instead, Newcastle once again looked like a completely different side away from home and fell to a 2-1 defeat in the Champions League.
It was another disappointing night where the team produced moments of promise but failed to control the big moments that decide matches.
Harvey Barnes’ early goal should have been the foundation for a strong performance, and on a more composed night, Newcastle could easily have walked away with three points.
But all of the early confidence collapsed almost instantly in the second half as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepped forward to punish every mistake Newcastle made.
His sharp and instinctive double ensured Marseille turned the match around, and even though his finishing was excellent, he was helped by Newcastle’s own self-inflicted wounds.
Once again, the spotlight fell on Nick Pope for the wrong reasons. It is now the third away match in a row where the goalkeeper has made a costly mistake that led directly to an equaliser.
At Marseille, his decision to rush out of his box only seconds after the restart left him stranded, and Aubameyang needed no invitation to round him and score. The moment was described as “inexplicable,” and it summed up how unsettled Pope has looked recently.
Minutes later he was beaten at his near post, compounding the sense that he is playing without confidence and without real command of his area.
Questions are now being asked about whether Eddie Howe must finally take Pope out of the starting lineup. Aaron Ramsdale, who has proven Premier League quality and has kept 32 clean sheets for Arsenal, is waiting for an opportunity.
Many supporters believe this is the right time to give him that chance. Despite the growing pressure, Howe defended his goalkeeper and insisted he still backs him, reminding everyone that Pope has saved Newcastle “many times” in the past.
But even with this vote of confidence, the reality is that Pope’s form has fallen sharply, and it is hurting the team at crucial moments.
Pope is not the only player who seems to be declining at the wrong time. Fabian Schär, who has been an important player for years and has become a popular figure at the club, also delivered a worrying performance in France.
He has played more than 240 games for Newcastle and has often been praised by Howe for being a unique and valuable defender, yet his performance against Marseille hinted that his best days may be slipping away.
Below is a breakdown of Schär’s numbers from the match:
| Stat | Schär |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 61 |
| Goals scored | 0 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Touches | 30 |
| Accurate passes | 13/16 (81%) |
| Possession lost | 5 |
| Tackles won | 0/0 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Clearances | 7 |
| Blocked shots | 0 |
| Recoveries | 1 |
| Total duels won | 0/3 |
The table makes it clear that Schär struggled just as much as Pope. Winning zero duels in a Champions League match is a major concern for a centre-back, and only completing 13 accurate passes paints a picture of a defender who never found rhythm or control.
His struggles only strengthened Marseille’s belief that they could get at Newcastle’s back line, and Aubameyang thrived on that uncertainty.
With only five Premier League starts this season, Schär is no longer a guaranteed starter, and his contract expiring next year adds even more uncertainty about his long-term future.
Meanwhile, younger defenders like Malick Thiaw are showing the energy and sharpness that Newcastle need. Thiaw completed 36 passes and won four duels in the same match, underlining the difference in reliability and confidence right now.
Newcastle are clearly entering a stage where the old guard can no longer be the automatic choice. Both Pope and Schär have been important figures during Howe’s time in charge, but loyalty alone cannot outweigh poor form.
The obvious change is to remove Pope after his latest moment of madness, but Schär should not be overlooked either. Both players are now under serious threat of losing their place ahead of the Premier League trip to Everton, and if Howe wants to stabilise the team, making bold decisions may no longer be optional.
