‘I wasn’t pleased’ - Newcastle United star honest about Eddie Howe snub and rejects ‘soft’ label
Eddie Howe started Lewis Hall at right-back on Sunday after leaving him out of his Newcastle United team in recent weeks.
Lewis Hall has admitted he was not impressed when named on the bench against Arsenal and Brighton.
And after Newcastle United drew with Nottingham Forest - taking their points dropping from winning positions to 27 for the season - the England international dismissed suggestions that the team have a “soft” mentality. For many Toon fans, Hall has been the club’s best player in 2025-26.
The 21-year-old returned to the side on Sunday in the unfamiliar role of right-back. Hall held his own and spoke to reporters post-match about his recent omission.
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Lewis Hall speaks after Nottingham Forest
“I've moved there a couple of times during the game and stuff,” he said. “The gaffer put me there in training a few times this week. I'd like to think I'm comfortable with both sides, to be fair, so I'm happy to.
“I was very happy to be back in the team. I think any player never wants to be on the bench. I think it goes without saying I wasn't best pleased but, like I said, everyone goes through their moments in football. It's just about how you deal with them. I was back in the team today, so I was happy.”
Lewis Hall rejects ‘soft’ label
When asked if Newcastle are “soft” after blowing another Premier League lead, Hall replied: “I wouldn't say soft, but it's definitely something that we've looked at and we're always trying to put right. I think throughout the season, you're always going to lose points from winning positions, so 27 sounds a lot.
“I think if you look at seasons where we've done well in the past, we've always dropped points from winning positions. It's a big number, so we've got two games left and we're going to try not to let it happen again.”
Eddie Howe on Lewis Hall knock
Hall played 90 minutes against Forest but received treatment in the closing stages. Speaking post-match, Eddie Howe downplayed the notion that the defender suffered a setback.
“He got a few (knocks) early,” Howe said. “He got one in the face, where I think he chipped a tooth. And then his injury at the end I think was more of a knock, so he was able to run that off.”
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