Eddie Howe has had to cope with so many injuries this season, so we’re only beginning to realise how brilliant this forward line can be.
It would be interesting to see if a trip to the Palace spurs another royal performance from Newcastle’s dynamic attacking trio. Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, and Harvey Barnes were superb in shredding Tottenham’s high line with their unrelenting pace.
It made me ponder what would have happened if they had stayed fit all season, if a testing campaign could still result in a European prize, and what might happen in 2024-25. While Gordon has managed to stay upright in the face of constant physical challenge, missing only a few of games due to suspension, Isak and Barnes, in particular, have suffered injuries.
What’s great about having them all together is that their goal totals roughly equal their assists. They can create and take with apparent ease.
Goals, of course, are what win games, and Isak has 21 from 30 starts and four substitute appearances, Gordon has 11 from 40+3 for the first time in his career, and Barnes has four goals from five starts and 12 bench appearances. That is an excellent present and the most promising of futures. Isak and Gordon are unquestionably having the best seasons of their careers, and Barnes has given us a taste of what could happen next time.
When everyone is fit – will that ever be the case at United? – Jacob Murphy is a terrific impact sub, while Miggy Almiron, who has served diligently in good and bad times, may have to be surrendered in the summer as part of a financial juggling act.
Gordon, Isak, and Barnes have a greater impact because they are interchangeable and do not have to play a specific function. All players may play as a No 9 in the middle and out wide on the tramlines. They were purchased by the new regime and their manager because they are versatile, making it easier for them to fit into Eddie Howe’s favoured style of play.
United are set up to be extremely effective on any given day, thanks to Bruno Guimaraes’ magic passing foot and Fabian Schar’s long-range aimed rockets.
Of course, Crystal Palace will be a difficult opponent; there aren’t many away games in the Premier League that end with a score of Sheffield United 0-8 Newcastle United. However, the Magpies will not waste a revival that has yielded 10 points out of the previous 12 and hope that a season on the verge of collapse due to widespread injuries may end on a high note.
Get the job done here, and next up are The Doomed, who are on the verge of relegation, Sheff U at St James’ Park on Saturday, followed by a trip to Burnley to reconnect with our former enfant terrible Craig Bellamy.
Who will be available after a long rest, and who will not? Only Howe knows, and as usual, he won’t reveal too much in advance; only a few crumbs will fall from the table. Callum Wilson may finally return to the bench, but anyone else?
United’s missing person list has been outrageous. If Gordon, Isak, and Barnes had been able to play in a three all season, what if Nick Pope had been a consistent presence? What if Joelinton had remained a formidable midfield force? What if Sven Botman had been ruthless rather than a limping shadow? If Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock were not carrying. If Kieran Trippier had maintained his early-season form and fitness. If Elliot Anderson had been permitted to keep his preseason commitment. If Wilson had consistently been ready to go as a terrific sub.
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