Newcastle United were their own worst enemies again, facing off against Marseille on Tuesday night in the Champions League.
The Magpies looked to have a strong grip on the contest at the intense Orange Velodrome when Harvey Barnes popped up with yet another strike to add to his glittering back catalogue for the campaign.
Yet, in typical Newcastle fashion this season on the road, Eddie Howe’s men ended up being architects of their own downfall, as a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-inspired comeback handed the Ligue 1 hosts a slim 2-1 win.
While the Gabonese marksman continued his fine season in France and beyond, Howe’s experiment with Anthony Gordon as a lone striker seriously failed, as the 24-year-old’s own campaign – away from Aubameyang and Barnes – shows no signs of getting better.
Gordon's woes at Newcastle
As writer Thomas Hammond stated at full-time whistle of yet another away loss for the Magpies, Gordon’s showing was another “nothing” display from the ex-Everton man this season.
The 24-year-old did manage to register three shots at the Marseille goal, but with only 25 touches amassed before Nick Woltemade came into the contest, it’s fair to say the experiment of starting the Liverpool-born attacker as a sole centre-forward must come to a close soon.
Unfortunately for Gordon, though, he is unlikely to displace the aforementioned Barnes from his more natural left wing spot when considering their side-by-side numbers of late.
The underperforming England international remains on zero goals and assists in the Premier League this campaign to date, while the ex-Leicester City man has a blistering seven strikes in all competitions, from just 925 minutes of total action.
He could slide down the pecking order so much that a sale is even considered, with Newcastle clearly well-stocked down the flanks, away from their former £45m purchase.
Recouping some of that £45m back could put the Magpies in a position to go after former star Elliot Anderson, who has been touted with a return to St James’ Park.
Manchester United are also in the mix, however, and believe they could strike a deal for £60m.
With Joelinton also not what he used to be, this feels like a signing that should be urgently pursued by Newcastle and PIF if the correct sum of money is found.
To get even nearer to that golden amount, Howe will also be considering ditching this other shaky Toon regular, who had another “moment of madness” against Roberto De Zerbi’s outfit last match, as per journalist Mark Douglas.
The Newcastle dud who could now be sold
There is a somewhat stale feel to Howe’s starting XIs at the moment, as he remains staunchly loyal to many first-team faces who have delivered in the past, in the form of Joelinton and Gordon.
Nick Pope also definitely fits into this category, now, with the shot-stopper a shadow of his former self, having once been labelled as “one of the best” goalkeepers the under-fire manager has ever worked with.
There’s merit behind his comments, too, with the ex-Burnley ‘keeper 78 clean sheets down in the challenging Premier League.
Still, Howe can’t afford to be stuck in the past, if he wants to keep his employment at St James’ Park, with Pope guilty of another error this season when rushing out of his goal rashly against Marseille, leaving Aubameyang with an open goal to shoot at in the process.
This would kickstart the Marseille comeback, with reporter Andy Kerr stating – at full-time – that something isn’t “right” with the 33-year-old at this moment in time, despite the 6-foot-6 ‘keeper previously being seen as a long-standing, reliable servant of the club.
Games played
4
Minutes played
347 mins
Clean sheets
1
Goals conceded
10
With ten goals now haphazardly given up all across November, Pope could be the next figure Howe considers getting rid of to try and make up some money for the Anderson kitty, with Aaron Ramsdale a competent enough replacement in the short-term.
With Pope’s wealth of Premier League experience, as well, surely a top-flight club would gamble dropping around £10m on the number one’s services, which is what Newcastle paid for him, despite being boldly labelled as “disgraceful” at the moment by Magpie Media.
Indeed, reports earlier this year indicated that PIF were looking for a fee of around £15m for the ageing stopper, heading into the summer window.
But, for Newcastle, where they are now, a fresh pair of gloves could be what’s needed, alongside a revamp up top to turn around their current slide, to put together some substantial funds to finally bring Anderson back to Tyneside.
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