At Newcastle United, it’s not only the present that provides so much excitement.
While a domestic cup final and a push to qualify for the Champions League is a good season by any metric, what’s more pleasing is that this feels like the start of something.
Right now, it feels as if the PIF era at St James’ Park is just getting started, with plenty more adventures both at home and on the continent to come.
Indeed, things could look very different for Newcastle in the future and the same could be said of the players.
One of those, interestingly, being a certain Elliot Anderson.
Eddie Howe explains Anderson’s best role
The 20-year-old made quite the impact during Friday’s win over Nottingham Forest. Praised by both Kieran Trippier – who said the youngster was “unbelievable” – and Sean Longstaff for his performance and having seen a goal controversially ruled out by VAR, Anderson took his opportunity with both hands.
Such has been the level of Newcastle’s form this season, the Scotland U21 international has had to bide his time, starting only one Premier League game thus far.
While competition for starting places remains high, head coach Eddie Howe has given an indication as to where he sees Anderson’s best role both now and going forward.
“I’d probably at this moment in time if I was to be pinned down to say his best position, I’d say wide,” Howe told the Shields Gazette. “In the future, maybe more centrally. But I think that versatility is massive for us at the moment.”
Exciting times for Anderson
To represent your boyhood club during one of the most exciting periods in their history is surely the dream.
Already making an impact in the first-team, the future is very bright for both Newcastle and Anderson, whatever role it is he plays going forward.
Tipped for a bright future by Trippier, to have a local lad developing under Howe’s watch can only be a good thing for Newcastle.