Callum Wilson admits he was left angry by Eddie Howe’s decision not to start him against Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
Despite scoring twice against West Ham, the 31-year-old was forced to sit on the bench against Brentford three days later.(Photo: Getty Images)
The Newcastle United No.9 scored a brace in the 5-1 win at West Ham United three days prior, however club-record signing Alexander Isak got the nod at the Gtech Community Stadium.
With United trailing 1-0 after Ivan Toney’s first-half penalty, Wilson was introduced at half-time and assisted Isak’s winner, which came moments after David Raya’s own goal levelled the scores
Asked what it was like to link up with Isak, Wilson told the BBC Footballer’s Football Podcast: “Bittersweet, I can’t lie. I scored a brace in the week against West Ham then the next minute I find myself on the bench again.
However, he did admit it was an extremely tough call in the build-up to the game. Although Wilson netted twice at the London Stadium, Isak did also score after coming on as a substitute.
“The older I’ve got, I’ve learned to let those conversations be one-sided initially when you’re getting told because emotions speak rather than logically thinking,” Wilson added.
“For example, the manager pulls you on the day of the game and says he’s going to rotate the team, bearing in mind you’ve just scored a brace beforehand and only played 60 [minutes] so you’re thinking ‘well they must be saving me for a little time for the game on the weekend with it being so close’.
“I just nodded, and that’s all you can do. Leave it as it is. I’m not going to cause a scene on the day of a game because it doesn’t help anybody.
“You have to be mature and be a leader and show how to handle that situation the right way and let your football do the talking.
“I’ve got great respect for the manager and will always respect his decision. It was what it was, it benefitted the team – we won the game. I come on, set up the winner and had a say on that result.
Alexander Isak started and Callum Wilson combined for the winning goal against Brentford. (Getty Images)
“We’ll see what happens next game, who knows? I can score two goals and get dropped so I ain’t predicting line-ups anymore!”
Newcastle travel to face in-form Aston Villa at lunch kick off on Saturday.