Worse than Anthony Gordon, Eddie Howe must finally axe ‘dreadful’ Newcastle flop vs Crystal Palace
Eddie Howe has some key changes to make despite Newcastle United securing a much-needed win over Burnley on Tuesday.
Yoane Wissa scored on his first Newcastle start, doubling his total after netting in the Carabao Cup, either side of efforts from Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes on 30 December.
Alongside Wolves and West Ham, Burnley are at serious risk of relegation, and the 3-1 defeat at Turf Moor will do nothing for their Premier League survival prospects this season.
It has been a difficult campaign for the Magpies as well, with Premier League and Champions League football to combat, and the squad appears to be pretty stretched at St James’ Park.
This has seen Howe stick with some players who may be axed by other managers, with very few options at his disposal.
Anthony Gordon continues his awful form at Newcastle
Anthony Gordon has been far from his best, to say the least, notching just two goals and an assist in 14 league games, but he continues to start for the Carabao Cup holders.
Once again, this time against the Clarets, the former Everton winger’s performance was completely uninspiring, creating zero chances, winning just 33 per cent of his tackles, and failing to hit the target [FotMob].
However, with Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga at the manager’s disposal in the final third, Howe has a much more worrying concern on the pitch, and it comes in the middle of the park.
The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards hit out at a “dreadful” Sandro Tonali, struggling to remember a worse game from the Italy international, and it is he who Howe needs to take a real look at.
Sandro Tonali gives Eddie Howe cause for concern
Tonali has been linked with a Newcastle exit ahead of next month, which could be playing on the star’s mind, but whatever is going on, Howe needs to take immediate action at St James’ Park.
It was noticeable to every supporter in attendance. The 25-year-old created zero chances, had two shots blocked, lost 80 per cent of his ground duels, and was even dribbled past once [FotMob].
With Crystal Palace up next on Sunday, 4 January, Howe must snuff out the weak points of the current lineup, and right now, Tonali is one of those players.
While the Eagles are not having the most wonderful of seasons, especially compared to the previous campaign, they are much more likely to hurt them than the Clarets managed.