There have been some spectacular individual performances from Newcastle United players this season, but one man has left Eddie Howe wondering ‘what if’.
While this has been a challenging season for the Magpies, plenty players in black and white have enjoyed wonderful campaigns so far.
Anthony Gordon has been Newcastle’s standout player, and continued his success as he provided three goal contributions during Saturday’s dramatic 4-3 win over West Ham United. The 23-year-old played a pivotal role, as he continues to prove that he is a player who Eddie Howe can trust. Although his foolish red card may have had the opposite effect.
Elsewhere, Bruno Guimaraes continues to thrive. He is the Magpies’ talisman, and his performances are attracting admiring glances from the world’s biggest clubs, such as Real Madrid.
Alexander Isak has also been outstanding, boasting 18 goals in all competitions this season. The Swede has almost doubled his tally from last season, and is now the player who Howe wants to build his team around.
But while those players have thrived, one of their teammates has not been able to contribute as much as they were expected to.
Injury derailed breakthrough season for Newcastle United youngster
Ahead of Newcastle’s game against Everton, Howe spoke to the Telegraph.
He was asked about Elliot Anderson, who has recently recovered from a back injury. The 21-year-old missed four months of action, but is fit once again.
He was excellent off the bench against West Ham, and now Howe has admitted that injury has disrupted what he thought would be a breakthrough season for Anderson.
“I felt that he [Anderson] would come into the team and have an outstanding season,” he said.
“I thought it would be his breakthrough season because during pre-season he was outstanding.
“Unfortunately, we lost him through, again, another strange injury really, but he’s back and has looked really, really good since coming back.
“I’m really, really pleased with him.”
Still time for Elliot Anderson to have an impact for Newcastle this season
As Howe says, Anderson was brilliant in pre-season. His performances in America were incredible, as Newcastle competed in the Premier League Summer Series.
He then started the season brightly, and was starting games regularly for the Magpies. Then he suffered a back injury, and his progress was halted.
It was a real blow for Anderson, as he was starting to be a really decisive player in the Premier League. He became a player who Howe trusted, and he would have had a key role once Sandro Tonali was suspended.
Anderson injury opened the door for Lewis Miley
Interestingly, the opportunity that would have been Anderson’s became Lewis Miley’s. The 17-year-old stepped in, and shocked the world with his maturity and ability at such a young age.
He became Newcastle’s breakthrough star this season, instead of Anderson.
But there is room for both local lads to thrive at St James’ Park, and hopefully Anderson can play a big part in a strong end to the season for the Magpies.
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