Harvey Barnes has scored seven of his 17 goals for Newcastle United after coming off the bench.
Eddie Howe has dismissed suggestions that Harvey Barnes plays better when coming off the bench for Newcastle United.
The winger has scored seven of his 17 goals - or 41 per cent - at the Magpies as a substitute. Barnes netted twice in midweek to put Benfica to the sword, having only been on the pitch 27 minutes.
Most of his time has been spent vying for the left-wing spot with Anthony Gordon. However, his Champions League brace came while playing off the right.
Eddie Howe rejects Harvey Barnes claim
Howe was asked whether Barnes is better served coming off the bench as a “finisher” given the number of substitutes available. Replying to NewcastleWorld, he dismissed that label - insisting the 27-year-old is not just a super sub: “He's done well in that respect, but I don't think that's his best position. He's done well in every moment, whether that's coming on or starting the games.
“I just think he's a very, very good player. And the most important aspect of Harvey's game is that he does score goals. If you look back through his record, he's very strong in that area. And I know it sounds obvious, but you need as many goals as you can. And Harvey brings shots, goals, assists - he's a very, very good player.
“As I said after the game the other day, it was great to see him score off the right-hand side because he'd played very well there for us for a while. But I don't think he'd actually necessarily scored, but that would do his confidence from that side of the pitch the world of good.”
Harvey Barnes issues battle cry
After the Benfica win, Barnes challenged his teammates to “push on” in the upcoming games. He said: "We've sort of been guilty a little bit this year of not going and getting the second and third goal and killing games off. So against Benfica, it was really pleasing to go and do that.
“You obviously have your responsibilities to help the team defensively but, as an attacking player coming on, it's important to go and help the team push on, go and get the next goals. We’ve probably not quite hit our heights this season of that free-flowing football, scoring, creating chances. That's what we do at our best, that's what we did last season.
“It's something that we know we're not quite there this season, but we're working on it. You see, against Benfica, when it does work, it really does, and we score goals, we create a lot of chances. So it's just about taking that into the next few games."
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‘Must contribute more’ - Eddie Howe
Howe also admitted that Newcastle’s wingers must contribute more this season. He said on Tuesday: “I think the wingers can do more, the creative midfielders can do more, our full backs can do more.
“They have been an incredible creative force for us for a long time. We need goals from set pieces, from free kicks and corners, there are many ways to score a goal. We have meetings with (the wingers) all the time - individually, as units and a team. We are constantly working on all phases of our game.
“There is an onus and a responsibility on the attacking players to contribute, but sometimes the problem doesn’t always exist with what you’re directly looking at and there is another reason behind it. It’s about giving everyone accountability within the team, myself included, to find a solution.”
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