Alan Pardew brutally honest on Harvey Barnes and Jason Tindall - thoughts Newcastle United supporters?

Four goals in his last three games - while also creating Marc Guehi’s own goal last night - has reignited an old Tyneside debate. Anthony Gordon and Barnes arrived just months apart from each other in 2023 and have competed for the left-wing spot since.

A foot injury for Barnes early in his Toon career allowed Gordon the platform to shine and stake his claim as undisputed first choice. The 24-year-old has gone on to earn several England caps and booked a spot on the plane for Euro 2024.

However, a moment of madness in the FA Cup against Brighton ruled Gordon out for three games - opening the window of opportunity elsewhere. Barnes took his place for the Carabao Cup final and has grown into Newcastle’s starting line-up.

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He has played his best football in a black-and-white shirt, with Gordon watching from the sidelines after returning from the ban. Speaking on Sky Sports, former Magpies boss Pardew insisted the talent was always there.

“Harvey Barnes has had one of those careers where he’s always threatened to be a top player yet, surprisingly, doesn’t always get picked,” Pardew said. “He’s had a little run in (the team) this time and his confidence is high. He takes people on, he’s got tremendous ability… he scores wonder goals as well.

“He obviously got one at the weekend when he ran all the way through the middle of Manchester United. But he’s a quality individual and, with that midfield there of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton, it really is one of the top midfields in the country. 

“When you’re feeding wide players and they have as much position as they do, it’s a dream. He’s playing very well.”

Pardew also claimed stand-in manager Jason Tindall has walked into a “dream” situation. Although under difficult circumstances, with Eddie Howe recovering from pneumonia, the winning run means he does not need to tweak the team from week to week.

He also pointed towards a tough game for the Magpies this weekend as they head to Villa Park. Unai Emery’s men are hurting after being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

“It’s been a dream for (Tindall),” Pardew added. “To come in as a manager and win two with four and five (goals). He’s going to go into that Villa game, he hasn’t even got to make a change! He can just name the same team again. It’s brilliant for him.

“I think it’s a really interesting game. Emotionally for Villa, that would have been a hard task (against PSG), and to pick the boys up and get them back up for the weekend is going to be a difficult job, whereas Newcastle’s turnaround – they’re bubbling. They’ll be looking forward to it.

“Interesting, but as Jason said, only one home defeat for Villa, so a tough ask. You’d expect Villa to get something. Maybe a draw or a win.”

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