Sandro Tonali exit prompts boos as Newcastle United rejig explained and Fabian Schar drops hint

The Italian’s withdrawal did not go down well with some supporters when the score was locked at 0-0

Sandro Tonali claps the fans following the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace

Sandro Tonali’s withdrawal prompted pockets of boos from a section of the crowd at St James’ Park when his number came up on 63 minutes against Crystal Palace.

It came from a small minority of the 50,000 strong home support, but it was a clear sign that frustration was beginning to set in as stubborn Palace threatened to nick a draw. At Man United there had also been a deathly silence when Tonali came off as Newcastle slipped to a 1-0 defeat.

Howe explained why he made a tweak in midfield with Tonali’s glum expression as he went around the pitch there for all to see. But Howe also weaved in comments about how he sees his United side as a “team structure” and why he won’t sign “maverick” players although that was in reference to potential players coming in.

Of course, the Italian’s glumness could have simply been cold or aggravated at the extra rough treatment he’d received with some brutal tackles and an elbow to the face, but he and a lot of fans see him as the orchestrator when things are flowing for the black and whites.

Howe pointed to Jacob Ramsey’s ‘control’ as a key part of the change up as Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento offered fresh presence on the left. Ramsey made 14 passes and had 20 touches in a 27-minute spell.

The fact that Howe left Bruno Guimaraes on, and he grabbed the winner, told the true narrative. Howe said afterwards: “We shifted Bruno in position, we wanted JJ’s control with the ball – he’s very, very solid and reliable with the ball and I think maybe an under-rated quality of his is his ball retention, and I felt he gave us much better control in that midfield area.”

Howe drops big hint on Lewis Miley dilemma

Keeping Lewis Miley at right-back became the next talking point in the world of Newcastle United.

As fans headed home or to their favourite watering holes following the win over Palace, Miley’s display was near the top of the discussion list. It feels like he is doing too well to move him from a position he’d never really played in before this winter’s injury crisis.

But Howe did not tinker too much with his on-field XI when the time for changes arrived. He had two top-class right-backs at his disposal in Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento.

In the end, he moved Livramento to left-back, and Trippier didn’t move off the bench. Howe reasoned: “With Tino, we just wanted his energy and his quality. It’s undoubted how good Tino is and I felt there was space on the sides of the pitch, so that’s why we made the three changes.”

With Miley in great form does that mean Lewis Hall could be the unlucky one against Leeds? It will keep Daniel Farke guessing that’s for sure.

Fabian Schar may have dropped contract hint

The former Swiss defender wore a shirt that displayed “250” on it after a solid shift against the Eagles. His future remains uncertain with his contract up at the end of the season.

He could start talking to European clubs now if he wanted with a pre-contract arrangement perfectly fine under transfer rules. But after the game he dropped a hint that he could sign an extension by posting: “Perfect way to start the year and celebrate 250 games for

“Proud every single time I walk out in these colours, here’s to many more.”

Schar has previously told Chronicle Live he wants to stay at Newcastle beyond this season.

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