Newcastle United star 'hung out to dry' v Luton Town & £58m boost ahead of Nottingham Forest trip

An afternoon of absolute chaos. There's little other way to describe what was presented by both Newcastle United and Luton Town at St James' Park on Saturday.

Gung-ho, full of attacking endeavour and defensive abandon, it was an end-to-end, ebb and flow classic, that did little, however, to further Newcastle's season, although proved a great result for the relegation-fighting visitors.

Sean Longstaff twice put the Magpies in front in the first half before seeing his goals cancelled out by Gabriel Osho and Ross Barkley. Two quickfire goals from Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo put the Hatters into a deserved lead before Newcastle clicked into action, reduced the arrears through skipper Kieran Trippier, before returning Harvey Barnes popped up with a leveller.

Here's five talking points from the encounter.

Eddie's tactical issue - again?

There's been a common denominator at Newcastle recently, and it involves tactical tweaks.

Howe deserved stacks of praise for the way he arrested back control of the game at Villa when Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey threatened to run away with things. That tweak surprised many, as it has happened so little.

But why has Howe been unable to see certain tactical flaws at home?

The problems presented by Luton were very similar out wide to Nottingham Forest - and despite all the pre-match prep in the world, Howe persisted with Dan Burn against a very speedy wideman. It is a recipe for disaster.

Luckily, the change was eventually made, but the damage, in this game at least, had already been done.

Livramento's time is coming - it's probably overdue

As mentioned above, in many ways, this isn't really a Burn problem. He's a reliable performer, most of the time, but his kryptonite is speed. That should be seen by Howe, rather than keep hanging the player out to dry.

With every passing game, particularly when the opposition has pace to burn, surely the time has come to use someone who can counteract that? And the thing is, Newcastle have the perfect player to do just that, already waiting in the wings.

Tino Livramento showed after the fourth goal how a full-back should defend against speed - and he offers a whole lot more going forward, too.

Howe can only hold back this tide for so long, especially when, at times, it looks detrimental to the overall balance of the side.

Barnes impact - seized his moment

A goal on return after no minutes since September - things couldn't really have gone any better for Harvey Barnes back out on the grass.

The winger didn't quite look up to full fitness - that will understandably come - but when called on to the pitch, he gave the United frontline a real threat on the left.

And when his big moment came, the former Leicester man delivered brilliantly - and with his less favoured left boot.

Onwards and upwards for a player who has been very unfortunate with injury in the early days of his Magpies' career.

Wilson return - but he must prove he can be robust

This was just the type of game Callum Wilson loves. Big central defenders, who all want to get physical. And unsurprisingly, it suited him down to the ground.

He took a little while to settle into it, having been thrust on earlier than expected due to an injury suffered by Anthony Gordon, but when Newcastle got their tails up, Wilson led well from the front.

His biggest task now, not only for himself but also his teammates, is to get properly fit and stay fit. Newcastle need him available between now and the end of the season - that has to be the bare minimum aim. IF he is not capable of delivering that, it will only further strengthen calls for a more robust understudy to be sought for Alexander Isak.

Take with one hand, give with the other

Such is the way this season, just as two players come back this week, another one drops out.

Gordon's injury, Newcastle will hope, isn't too bad, very much like the Isak one, but it is an ongoing concern that just shows no sign of getting better.

Just as the list looks like it is lessening, another players drops back into the treatment room. They've just not been able to catch a break this campaign.