Craig Hope worried by Isak’s Newcastle United form

Craig Hope has claimed that the form of Newcastle United’s record-signing Alexander Isak is a huge concern heading into the Carabao Cup final.

The Lowdown: Awful preparation for Newcastle

It was a devastating night on Tyneside for Newcastle last night as they lost their 17-game unbeaten run to Liverpool and saw regular number one Nick Pope handed his marching orders in the first half.

Pope played a massive role in getting Newcastle into the Carabao Cup final having been the man between the sticks when they knocked out Crystal Palace on penalties and now he won’t be able to walk out at Wembley next week.

The red card wasn’t the only bad way to prepare for a cup final but now Newcastle have won just once in their last seven Premier League games and have scored just three goals which will be alarming for Howe.

The Latest: Isak failing to impress

Hope was far from impressed by Isak last night as he slammed the £60 million striker on his YouTube channel for failing to score once again as he battles with Callum Wilson to start next weekend.

He said: (3:40) “I’ve been far more impressed when he’s come from the bench. All of his best performances – certainly post-injury – have come as an impact sub and why is that, I honestly don’t know.

“But when he’s started games he’s looked nowhere near as impactful, sharp or likely to score goals so that would be a concern because Callum Wilson came on towards the end there and had another nine days without training properly now, so what sort of shape is he going to be in going into the final?

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The Verdict: Major headache for Howe

Prior to the game against Liverpool many Newcastle fans will have been excited by the prospect of getting Bruno Guimaraes back for next week’s Wembley clash, but now they are certainly thinking about who won’t be there.

Now, Howe will be sweating about what he does come next Sunday afternoon with Pope absent, Joe Willock an injury doubt and with just three goals in their last seven league games, the striker debate is certainly one that will be rife.

Wilson entered the game last night and managed just 10 touches which certainly wasn’t the impact he will have hoped for so Howe must now decide if he goes with his tried and tested number nine, or the £60 million man with three goals to his name this season.

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