Malick Thiaw had always known that joining Newcastle United in the summer would require patience.
With Fabian Schar and Dan Burn firmly established as Eddie Howe’s trusted centre-back pairing, the German international arrived from AC Milan under no illusion that he would walk straight into the starting lineup.
For the opening weeks of the season, he had to settle for just a handful of minutes, nine in total across the first four league matches, as he slowly adjusted to life in the Premier League.
That moment of waiting finally came to an end on Sunday when Newcastle traveled to face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
With Schar unavailable, Howe reshaped his defence into a back three and handed Thiaw his first start for the club alongside Sven Botman.
The pair slotted in well, combining with Burn to form a solid defensive wall in what turned out to be a goalless draw. It was not the most thrilling game of football, but for Newcastle it was another clean sheet, their fourth in five league outings, and for Thiaw, it was the breakthrough he had been waiting for since arriving in England.
After the match, Howe was quick to praise the 24-year-old, describing him as an outstanding player, and Thiaw himself admitted he was delighted finally to start a game.
He explained that patience was always part of the process when joining a new side, especially one as competitive as Newcastle, and that he understood the need to adapt.
Learning the tactics, understanding the demands of the manager, and adjusting to how the team wanted to play were all challenges he expected to face.
Now that he has made his full debut, he hopes this is the beginning of a consistent run of games that will allow him to show his full ability.
The match itself was not without its difficulties. Newcastle struggled to create many clear opportunities and rarely troubled the Bournemouth defence.
Still, Thiaw stressed that the players returned to the North East with a sense of satisfaction. A point away from home in the Premier League is rarely something to dismiss, particularly when it comes with another clean sheet.
He acknowledged that there were still areas of improvement but felt the performance showed the team’s defensive resilience. Above all, he was pleased they did not concede, calling it a strong defensive display against tough opposition.
One of the game’s flashpoints arrived in the second half when Nick Woltemade went down under a challenge from Bafode Diakite.
Newcastle players appealed strongly for a penalty, but the referee waved play on. Thiaw later revealed that Woltemade himself was convinced it had been a foul, and Thiaw said he trusted his teammate’s word.
The frustration at not being awarded the spot-kick was compounded by another controversial moment when Thiaw, already on a yellow card, fouled Ryan Christie near the edge of the Bournemouth penalty area. On another day, the defender might have seen a second booking, but the referee chose not to produce the red card.
This decision did not sit well with Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, who was adamant that Thiaw should have been dismissed.
Speaking after the game, Iraola complained that the Newcastle bench immediately substituted Thiaw to avoid the risk of him picking up another caution and insisted it was a clear second yellow.
He admitted, however, that the dismissal might not have altered the outcome given the limited time left to play.
For Thiaw, though, the focus was on the positives. He felt the game was a step forward for him personally, and he was grateful for the support he has already received from the fans since his arrival.
He spoke warmly about the atmosphere at St James’ Park, describing it as unlike anything he had ever experienced before.
The noise and energy from the stands have left a lasting impression, and he made it clear how much it motivates the players to deliver their best.
He promised that he and his teammates would continue striving to repay that support with performances and results.
Newcastle’s attention now quickly shifts to the Carabao Cup, where they will defend their title against Bradford City at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
It offers another opportunity for Thiaw to cement his place in the side and continue building momentum. With confidence growing, he is eager to push on and improve game by game.
He acknowledged that while draws can sometimes feel frustrating, they also serve as building blocks, and he is determined to use every appearance to settle further into the rhythm of English football.
For now, Thiaw’s debut was a glimpse of his promise and potential. It might not have been a dramatic, headline grabbing introduction, but it was solid, composed, and encouraging, the kind of performance that lays the foundation for greater things to come.
In a team built on discipline and unity, those qualities are priceless, and Thiaw seems ready to embrace them fully. His patience is beginning to pay off, and Newcastle may well reap the rewards in the weeks ahead.
