Howe blocked player with seven PL appearances from leaving Newcastle

Newcastle United are one of the Premier League’s in-form teams right now, and look unstoppable at times.

Eddie Howe appears to have got the balance of his squad spot on, and is getting the best out of his players.

Howe had to assess his entire first-team roster going into the season after guiding Newcastle away from the relegation zone.

He would have known that he couldn’t make widespread changes to his playing staff despite having the funds available.

Howe therefore had to choose which players would be able to play a part and who needed to leave.

Some players who haven’t really featured his season did have offers to go but Howe wanted them to stay.

However, Howe decided he would stay, even though he’s only played twice this season.

Another player who could have gone in the summer is Elliot Anderson.

However, Howe blocked Anderson’s potential exit from the club, and it’s paid off for the youngster.

Howe blocked Anderson exit

However, Howe blocked Anderson’s potential exit, convincing him on their pre-season tour that he would be in the first-team set-up.

A Premier League debut and six further appearances later, Howe’s decision has paid off.

Anderson admitted that playing a role for Newcastle in the Premier League has been so important to him.

“That’s all I wanted really. It will be something that I worked for over pre-season,” Anderson said.

“My family have backed me all the way through. Throughout the Academy, they took me to every session and a lot of praise goes to them.”

Newcastle fans will be loving seeing another one of their own involved in such a successful period for the club.

Howe has managed to introduce an exciting, young talent into a squad performing at their park, which is an incredibly difficult task.

Anderson has shown in his various cameos that he’s not just making up the numbers.

The 19-year-old ‘incredible’ playmaker is making a serious impact, and could be awarded another start in the Carabao Cup in midweek.