(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Imago)
(Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media, Imago)
Match

Eddie Howe facing desperate situation as Anthony Gordon adds to Newcastle nightmare

Harri Burton
Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Newcastle United supporters' hopes of a positive season are quickly draining as Eddie Howe faces an unprecedented nightmare summer.

Anthony Elanga's £55million move from Nottingham Forest [BBC Sport] was greeted with a lot of excitement at St James' Park, but that is really as good as it gets for the Magpies.

With Alexander Isak trying to push through a move to Liverpool, not travelling with the squad on pre-season and now training by himself, the manager is facing the prospect of having no striker for next term.

Callum Wilson joined West Ham as a free agent, and while William Osula is a natural centre-forward, the 22-year-old has struggled to take his opportunity to impress the boss.

Alexander Isak walking into St James' Park in a Newcastle top.
Newcastle United could lose Alexander Isak. (Credit: Imago)

Eddie Howe's woes worsen vs Atletico Madrid

Newcastle have gone without victory throughout the whole of pre-season, losing their latest game to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, 9 August, having also lost to Celtic, Arsenal, and K-League All Stars.

However, Howe's issues off the pitch appear to have leaked onto the grass, with new concerns emerging over another star attacker - Anthony Gordon - who notched 15 goal contributions last season.

The 24-year-old pulled up with an injury towards the end of their clash against Atletico, with the commentators worried about a potential hamstring injury before he hobbled off with the medical team.

A long-term injury for the former Everton star now would be an incredible blow for the Magpies, and it would only add to the already desperate situation that the club and Howe find themselves in.

Anthony Gordon, Newcastle United
Anthony Gordon picked up an injury against Atletico Madrid. (Credit: Imago)

Newcastle's transfer failures begin to backfire at St James' Park

The Magpies have clearly been searching for a new striker as the saga surrounding Isak trundles on, and with 52 goals across the last two seasons, the Sweden international is not an easy figure to replace.

Benjamin Sesko is the latest transfer failure, also losing the race for Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Hugo Ekitike, with Football Insider understanding that Howe is being blamed by Newcastle.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

Pressure only continues to mount on the manager, and it is unclear how much more the former Bournemouth coach can take before calling it quits.

No Isak? No Gordon? The Magpies are quickly running out of attackers to fuel their world-class attackers before heading into the Premier League and Champions League next season.

Newcastle United
Atletico Madrid
Eddie Howe
Anthony Gordon
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