Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes proved a real point against Bournemouth on Sunday.
The Magpies were able to salvage a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium, even if they did receive a huge slice of luck in stoppage time.
Bournemouth had a winner disallowed for handball, with Alan Shearer describing the decision as ‘awful’. That decision helped Newcastle United pick up an unlikely point, having fallen behind in the first half.
But Eddie Howe’s side were able to snatch an equaliser after the break, with Anthony Gordon scoring his first goal of the season.
Harvey Barnes helps rescue a point for Newcastle against Bournemouth
It was great to see Gordon get a goal, but the strike was all about the assist from Harvey Barnes.
The 26-year-old did not start the game on Sunday, but was brought on early in the second half.
He took Jacob Murphy’s place in the side, which resulted in Gordon swapping wings. With Barnes on the left, Newcastle were much more dangerous, and pretty much every opportunity the Magpies had came through him.
And it was Barnes who provided the assist for the equaliser, as he shifted inside onto is right foot to deliver the perfect cross to the back post for Gordon.
It was an outstanding cameo from Barnes, who had a point to prove after a story that had came out about him in the media. It was reported that Barnes was frustrated he did not start the Southampton game, having done so well in pre-season.
Now Barnes has proven why he perhaps should be a starter, as Newcastle probably would not be celebrating a point right now had it not been for his efforts.
Newcastle fans agree about Barnes’ performance against Bournemouth
Following the 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, a lot of Newcastle United fans have been praising Barnes on X (formally known as Twitter) for the impact he had off the bench.
In fact, a lot of supporters believe he should now be starting for Eddie Howe’s side.
One Toon fan wrote: “Barnes was great off the bench today mind tbf to him. Until we sign a right winger (that’s IF we do) I see no reason why we shouldn’t find a way to start him and Gordon together. It’s not perfect but it’s better than the current options we have on the right.”
Another commented on X: “Definitely got away with one today. So many passengers in the first half. Barnes has to start against Forest.”
“Newcastle need signings and Barnes should be playing from the start,” wrote another fan, who summed up the situation quite well.
Eddie Howe’s subs have been praised, with this supporter writing: “Thought the subs made around the hour mark made us look a better team and got us up the pitch a lot quicker. Gordon, Isak, Barnes is how our front three should be until we get a RW in.”
Another fan agreed, posting: “Barnes has to be starting with our current options. It means moving Gordon to the right but you just can’t justify Murphy/Almiron getting in ahead of him.”
Finally, this member of the Toon Army praised Barnes for how ‘dangerous’ he looked, and called on him to be a starter from now on: “Considering how bad we played after 15 mins – will take a point. Subs came on and made a huge difference. Barnes and Gordon on the wing from the start next week – thought Barnes looked really dangerous when he came on. Good shift from Willock too.”
Barnes could be Newcastle’s solution if a winger does not arrive before the transfer deadline
Barnes really did change the game for Newcastle, and his performance should give Eddie Howe a lot of food for thought.
In fact, it has proven that Barnes could be the answer to the Magpies’ winger problem if a solution does not arrive before the transfer window closes on Friday.
Newcastle are ‘actively looking’ to sign a winger this week, and Paul Mitchell is under more pressure to sign one after the Magpies’ performance against Bournemouth.
But if an attacker does not arrive, it is now very clear that Howe has the luxury of moving Gordon over to the right and playing Barnes on the left.
That would be the perfect solution for Barnes, as he wants to be a regular starter in black and white.
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