Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United are in the hunt for the European spots in the Premier League and are halfway into the Carabao Cup final, barring a major capitulation at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies’ success so far this season has rested on the back of some impressive individual performances by the likes of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, as well as the emergence of Lewis Hall who’s made the left-back spot his.
We discussed the performances of these players with Newcastle United hero Chris Waddle who explained areas where they can improve and gave his verdict on whether Newcastle can avoid the bigger clubs from picking them in the transfer window.
Newcastle can get a huge sum for Isak but replacing him is not easy
15 goals and five assists in 20 Premier League appearances has set Isak firmly in the spotlight and talk of a move to Arsenal, who desperately need a prolific centre-forward, never seems to cease. Waddle is of the opinion that Isak’s future is dependent on him but also warns Newcastle that while they’ll get a princely sum for him, replacing him will be a hard task.
“I think it’s down to Alexander Isak. I don’t think Newcastle want him to leave. Very hard to find a centre-forward who’s an all-round centre-forward. He’s got pace, can score goals, can head the ball well, he’s got great feet, he can beat people. He’s got all the attributes for a modern day centre-forward.
“I think for Newcastle, to lose him, yes they could get a lot of money for him, a massive deal for him, but these forwards are hard to find. Everybody’s looking for a centre-forward.”
Waddle also raises a cause for concern with Isak’s performance in the loss against Bournemouth, questioning whether the transfer talk is getting to his head.
“He had a very quiet game against Bournemouth on Saturday which is probably the worst game he’s had. Whether he’s tired or all the transfer talk is getting to him a bit, but for Newcastle if they’ve got any ambition, they’ve got to keep a hold of him. He’s a top player.”
Anthony Gordon has come on leaps and bounds
Waddle was also full of praise for Anthony Gordon who he credits for becoming more consistent. The former Magpie says that Gordon has also added goals to his repertoire which is important to progress as an attacking winger.
“I think he’s come on leaps and bounds, he’s found a home, he’s found himself as one of the main actors in the team. Got in the England squad, knocking on the door to become a permanent starter. He’s got pace, he can come inside, loves his right foot, he’s got a great change of pace. He’s getting goals, which is important if you want to progress in your abilities.
“So far this season, he’s one of the players who, let’s be honest, is playing very well. He’s been very consistent. We know what he can do and he’s doing it consistently. You would think the next aim for him is to be an England regular.”
Waddle points out one tendency that Gordon has to work on and that is being reliant on service. He uses the Bournemouth game as an example where Gordon was at first too reliant on service and as the game progressed, he tried to take more initiative.
“He’s still reliant on service. I was watching the Bournemouth game and he didn’t really have the biggest effect on the game. He was positive, he picked it up, he wanted to drive at the players.”
The emergence of Lewis Hall and Myles Lewis-Skelly
Waddle also touched on the emergence of two young English left-backs this season – Lewis Hall at Newcastle and Myles Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal – stating that it’s great for the national team as that position has been troublesome in recent years.
“There is a shortage of left-backs for England. Shaw’s always injured. They’ve tried to play Trippier, a right-back, on the left. They haven’t had a fixed left-back.”
When asked if Hall or Lewis-Skelly could be contenders for that role, considering their form, Waddle’s advice was to be patient and let the young players develop.
“I think Hall has done very well. I think he’s a confidence player, from what I’ve seen of him. Against Bournemouth, for example, David Brooks ran past him as if he wasn’t there and it set the tone for the entire match. He had a very dodgy game against Bournemouth and they ended up subbing him off for Livramento who I’ve been quite impressed by the last couple of seasons. Livramento’s got good pace, he’s good on the ball.
“I think Hall has come to a head because of Newcastle’s run obviously. The young lad at Arsenal (Myles Lewis-Skelly) has impressed. It’s about getting experience and the more games you get, the more experience you get.
“The left-back position has always been a problem for England. Whether Hall is the answer, I’m not too sure. He’s done well but he still lacks a little bit of confidence and belief in himself, so to go into the international level, I’m not sure he’s ready yet.”
Newcastle are set to return on Saturday, when they host an improving Fulham side at St James’ Park. Eddie Howe’s side are priced at 4/6 on bet365 to come out on top in that match, which should be an entertaining watch for the neutral.
