Alan Shearer suggests role change for Anthony Gordon to fix Eddie Howe’s Newcastle dilemma

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Eddie Howe has a big selection headache regarding Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon at Newcastle United.

It is the kind of headache that managers like to have, but also the kind that can attract plenty of criticism if Eddie Howe gets it wrong.

And it seems Howe did get it wrong – at first – against Wolves. Newcastle United looked blunt and void of ideas going forward in the first half at Molineux.

The closest Newcastle came to scoring was when Anthony Gordon took matters into his own hands and almost scored a superb solo effort after weaving between Wolves defenders. However, his shot came rebounding off the woodwork.

Changes were needed at the break and Howe responded with a triple substitution which saw Anthony Gordon play centrally in the second half.

The Gordon experiment didn’t quite work, but it did free up Harvey Barnes to play on the left where he scored a stunning curling effort to complete Newcastle’s comeback and win the game 2-1.

Alan Shearer names his Newcastle front three

Barnes made it blindingly clear that he deserves to start after coming off the bench and having an incredible impact on the second half.

But the issue for Howe is that Gordon – who was also impressive against Wolves – also prefers the left flank.

It’s down to Howe to figure out a system that suits both stars, and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has now given his verdict on what to do.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer said: “Barnes and Gordon both want to play on that left-hand side and cut in on that right, and they’re both very good at doing that, hence Barnes [scoring].

“Gordon went down the middle today because Isak came off at half-time. So if he can find a way to get both of those in the team.

When asked by Lineker how he would set up the attack, Shearer replied: “Probably Gordon on the right if Isak is going to be fit. I know Wilson has been injured and he hasn’t appeared this season yet.

“But probably Gordon on the right and then Barnes on the left-hand side and Isak down the middle. I mean that’s a really, really good front three.

Newcastle United’s winger dilemma

Newcastle are lopsided at the moment. The left-hand side looked dangerous against Wolves with both Gordon and Barnes playing there, while the right-hand side struggled to have an impact at all.

The Magpies were in the market for a new right-winger over the summer but failed to get a deal over the line.

READ MORE: Mehrdad Ghodoussi sends reply to Harvey Barnes after he scored Newcastle’s winner vs Wolves

They are now paying the price for this summer’s poor transfer business, and Howe now has to find a way to play both Gordon and Barnes – with only one of them keeping their favoured spot on the left.

Gordon, who joined Newcastle for £45m in 2023, wasn’t able to have an impact after being played down the middle, and the same can be said for Barnes when he plays that position. Expect both Gordon and Barnes to start for the trip to Fulham next Saturday, although where they both play is anyone’s guess.