Newcastle United’s most creative player has only started four league games this season

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Eddie Howe has a big task on his hands to get Newcastle United back among the goals.

Newcastle have struggled offensively this season and their frustrations in front of goal continued in their 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

Another match without a goal means Newcastle have now not scored from open play since exactly one month ago in the 3-1 defeat to Fulham.

Newcastle are currently the lowest-scoring team in the top half of the Premier League table and only five top-flight teams have scored fewer than their eight goals.

Eddie Howe may have to change things around to try and solve the goal crisis, and stats show his most creative player is currently being underused.

Newcastle United’s most creative player

Newcastle have looked toothless in the last five matches, especially against well-organised defences that are happy to sit back.

Newcastle’s goal record compared to last year shows just how alarming the lack of goals is this season.

However, Newcastle have only missed 12 big chances this season which ranks them 14th in the Premier League. Instead, the problem is the lack of chances being created.

Premier League stats show that Harvey Barnes has actually been Newcastle’s most creative player this season with three big chances created.

The 26-year-old is also Newcastle’s top scorer this season with three goals.

Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Lewis Hall rank second for big chances created with two.

Harvey Barnes is being underused by Eddie Howe

Despite topping the club’s scoring charts and creating the most chances this season, Barnes has still not found his way into Howe’s starting lineup.

Barnes has appeared in all eight Premier League matches so far but has only started in four which only makes his attacking stats more impressive.

READ MORE: ‘Unique’ player has improved so much and is now playing his best football ever in a Newcastle shirt

Howe started with Gordon on the left and Jacob Murphy on the right against Brighton before calling on Barnes to come off the bench for the final 25 minutes.

The biggest issue is that Gordon and Barnes both prefer playing from the left, which has given Howe plenty of selection headaches this season – and also explains why Newcastle are prioritising a new right winger.

But with Howe needing a quick solution to Newcastle’s lack of goals, Barnes could be the answer but he needs regular game time and a run in the starting lineup.