‘Really proud’: Eddie Howe says 20-year-old Newcastle youngster has improved so much

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Eddie Howe is having to use his squad much more this season, which means more opportunities for a lot of his Newcastle United players.

One of those is Elliot Anderson, who has started Newcastle‘s previous three Premier League games. The local lad has helped the Magpies pick up maximum points during that period, as they put a bad start to the season behind them.

The 20-year-old has played in midfield alongside Sean Longstaff and Bruno Guimaraes, and has looked more comfortable than ever before at Premier League level. He has kept the £55million man Sandro Tonali out of the side, and there have been no complaints from fans about the Italian not starting.

That is a testament to Anderson’s performances, as he continues his journey from youth prospect to fully fledged first-teamer.

Eddie Howe has helped mould Anderson into a Premier League talent, and he is now someone he can trust. That is a contrast to last season, when the academy graduate struggled for minutes in a black and white shirt.

Eddie Howe thinks Elliot Anderson should be ‘proud’ of his Newcastle exploits

Howe is using Anderson more and more, and the Newcastle boss has now spoke to the Northern Echo about the midfielder’s progress.

“I think he’s added a bit more knowhow to his game,” he said.

“It’s very difficult for young players to come in and know how to act in every moment of the match, depending on whether you’re on top or not on top. Through training and the experiences that he’s faced with us on a matchday, I think he’s added a little bit more knowhow to the obvious talent that he has.

“He’s become reliable, and that’s a big thing for me. I feel like I can trust him to play, knowing that he won’t let us down in any phase. I think he can be really proud of his recent efforts.”

Goals are next on Anderson’s agenda at Newcastle

Howe thinks Anderson should be proud of himself, as do the fans. Anderson has solidified his place in this Newcastle team, to the point where it isn’t a surprise when he’s in the starting XI.

He is much more tactically switched on this season, while he is taking much greater responsibility with the ball.

It is fantastic watching him develop, and the next thing on his agenda will be goals. Anderson was prolific in pre-season, but is yet to provide that golden touch during a competitive game.

He nearly did on Saturday, but was denied his first ever senior Newcastle strike after a wonderful save from Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford.

Goals will come, but Anderson is doing brilliantly even without them. He should be very pleased with how quickly he is developing.