Eddie Howe needs to rethink his team selection process, because Harvey Barnes is getting a really raw deal right now.
The winger started the game against Burnley on Tuesday night but only made it to 72 minutes before being replaced by Jacob Murphy.
Who was your MOTM against Burnley?!
Feel free to name your worst player too 😂
Granted, Harvey Barnes didn’t have much of an impact on the game, but he’s still been one of the more lively and exciting Newcastle players over the last couple of months.
That’s more than can be said for his teammate, Anthony Gordon, who continues to be a problem for the Magpies. And yet, Eddie Howe persists in playing him for some reason.
- READ MORE: Newcastle United fans say Bruno Guimaraes was let down by ‘atrocious’ teammate vs Burnley
Harvey Barnes shouldn’t have to make room for Anthony Gordon
Seriously, why Harvey Barnes is having to play on the right wing while Gordon takes his preferred left wing slot is beyond me.
Gordon has been poor for weeks. He’s been poor for months, actually. His last league goal from open play came way back in January, almost a year ago.
Yes, he’s great in the Champions League, and he can be a matchwinner on his day, but we have not seen that side of Anthony Gordon for a long time.
Meanwhile, Barnes has consistently delivered open play goals and valuable assists. Sure, any winger worth his salt should be able to play on both sides of the pitch and still make an impact. But, the question is, why is it Barnes who is having to adapt when Gordon probably shouldn’t even be on the pitch anymore?
Alan Shearer cited Gordon as an issue just this week, suggesting the winger should be getting into the box more and offering more in terms of goals, especially given the amount of crosses coming his way at the back post.
That’s just one of the problems at play, and we saw very little to prove things are going to improve with Gordon’s display against Burnley.
If you could voice one concern to Eddie Howe about Newcastle United right now, what would it be?
Yes, I know we won, but let's not pretend that was great 😂
Gordon was anonymous against Burnley
Gordon wasn’t the worst Newcastle player against Burnley, but he certainly wasn’t the best. Indeed, the Englishman caused some problems for the Clarets and was involved in Joelinton’s opening goal.
But, Gordon spurned one great opportunity, his passes were off the mark (he had a 79% success rate overall), and was successful with just three of his seven attempted dribbles. Gordon even lost possession 18 times.
It’s been said that Gordon is playing too wide and too deep this season, and that may well be the cause of his issues. I’d argue it’s more of a mentality problem, but whatever it is, Howe needs to get Gordon firing again or it will cost the Magpies, and may even cost the player his place in England’s World Cup squad.
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