Newcastle United's top goalscorer admits he is happier on the left wing
Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon
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Eddie Howe barely makes a misstep in his utterances to the media, but one comment by the Newcastle United boss over the winger situation a few weeks ago got fans talking.
The Magpies' problems in front of goal this season have been evident. The departure of Alexander Isak in the summer was a setback and United's forward line as a whole appeared disrupted.
The output of the widemen was questioned, with Anthony Gordon in the midst of a rough patch. Fortunately, Harvey Barnes was finding form in front of goal, but the dilemma of fitting both in the team was causing Howe and supporters a headache.
Barnes, despite being in form, was shifted to the right side to accommodate Gordon on the left. Asked about it in a Press conference, Howe said: “I don't think Anthony enjoys playing on the right. I think Harvey is a lot more open to it and quite enjoys the freedom that the position gives him with our way of playing.
“Of course, that doesn't mean I can't play Anthony out there but if a player doesn't really want to play in that position I think it's a difficult one to force a player to do it because I don't think you'll get the same kind of performances.
“Harvey is a player that's played across the midfield. He's very good in the lines and between spaces so I’m quite happy to play Harvey there.
“I think his No 1 position is the left and I know where he would ideally like to play but he's a goal threat off both sides and the stats would back that up. He's been really good off both flanks this year."
Howe's comments didn't do Gordon any favours. It wasn't that he was refusing to play on the right wing, but the backlash from elements of the fanbase on social media was fierce with many thinking the England man was being precious.
Barnes, however, doesn't have an issue with it and insists he is happy to play anywhere across the frontline. However, the former Leicester City man admits he would prefer to be in his natural position on the left.
It was a role he slotted back into on Tuesday, with Gordon deployed as the central striker by Howe. Barnes, top scorer with 12 goals, has shaken off his supersub tag this season but knows there is competition for places with the likes of Yoane Wissa, Will Osula, Nick Woltemade and Jacob Murphy all on the bench at Spurs.
“You know you’re not going to walk straight into the team," he said. "You have to compete, you have to fight and earn your place. Quite a few of my goals have come from off the bench, with more from starting (in the team) the following year. It’s that natural progression of trying to find your feet a bit, then the following year getting that reward.
“This year it has all gone really well. The left is naturally where I’ve played most of my career and where I prefer playing but this year, more than any other, I’ve been on the right. I don’t think it’s a bad thing, it’s all about adapting. It’s a similar position but it’s different in this team.
“On the right you’re creating more and looking for crosses whereas, on the left, I’m more often than not trying to get a shot off.”
Barnes played the full 90 minutes on Tuesday night and could be rested by Howe for the FA Cup clash on Saturday when Newcastle travel to Aston Villa. However, he is hoping that the club can have a strong run in the competition as they look to emulate last year's historic Carabao Cup success.
“It’s exciting. We have a few months left of the season," he added. "We’d like to be a little bit higher (in the league). Hopefully we can finish this season on a high and (win) a bit of silverware.
“Last year, as players, we knew how much it meant but probably didn’t know until we achieved it and saw the reaction around the city. We just want to give them more of that and, as players, you want to achieve as much as you can as well.”
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