Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has stepped up to the plate in the last two games, according to NewcastleWorld reporter Liam Kennedy.
The 26-year-old has started for the Magpies in the Carabao Cup and against Tottenham at the weekend. Speaking on the Geordie Journos Show for Shots!, Kennedy said that the forward deserves a lot of praise:
“That’s the best couple of performances I’ve seen from Harvey Barnes – Nottingham Forest and again today (versus Tottenham). I thought he was really effective.”
“We’ve critiqued him in the past about where does he fit into this team and I think really he’s started to find a real home.”
Injuries have curtailed Barnes’ time at St James’ Park
There was much fanfare after Newcastle secured his signature from Leicester City for £38m at the start of last season. Despite the Foxes’ relegation, he had been one of their more impressive performers, scoring 13 league goals.
However, his first year with the Magpies was tough, having sustained a serious foot injury that kept him sidelined between the end of September and the beginning of February. He spent the rest of the campaign finding his form.
The Newcastle star has given Howe a selection dilemma
It’s clear that both Barnes and Anthony Gordon do their best work on the left wing. The latter was deployed on the right-hand side against Tottenham and it didn’t suit him.
Whether manager Eddie Howe will start rotating between the two so they can both be deployed down their preferred flank, we shall have to wait and see. The pair like to invert and cut in onto their stronger right foot.
In terms of Barnes, though, fans will be just happy to see that the club are beginning to see a return on their substantial investment.
