'Super sub' Barnes the 'best finisher' at Newcastle

Harvey Barnes has become a "super sub" for Newcastle United, says former Magpies defender John Anderson.

The forward came on as a substitute in the 61st minute at Nottingham Forest on Sunday to score his side's only goal and earn them a point.

When asked by BBC Radio Newcastle if Barnes is the best finisher at the club, Anderson said: "I wouldn't disagree with that at all. I said this yesterday, he gets in those positions. You put your house on it.

"He doesn't panic, he's calm, puts his foot through it, goes either side and yes, you'd probably say that he is the best finisher at the club.

"Full credit to him, you know, he's never been a regular. He's been in and out of the side and he's been used as, I suppose, a super sub you could say. But he's had more of an impact coming off the bench than he has starting games, to be fair. He's scored important goals for us coming off the bench."

Barnes has started 32 games out of 56 across all competitions for Newcastle this season - while scoring 11 of his total 16 goals - but his minutes per goal is healthier when he is substituted on. The 28-year-old scores a goal every 240 minutes when starting a match, but this is reduced to 120 when coming off the bench.

But on why Barnes doesn't start regularly, Anderson put it down to the competition.

"I think the answer to that is he probably wants to start on that left-hand side," he said.

"Yes, he's played on the right, but would prefer to start and play on that left-hand side and for the majority of the season, Anthony Gordon's got that gig. Apart from the times when he was playing through the middle and Barnes got a few games on that left-hand side.