FPL Update: Could the unthinkable be worth it for Newcastle backers amidst Howe Roulette?

If we were to liken the season so far to any team in modern memory, it would have to be the Erik ten Hag side that somehow finished 3rd in the much-maligned Dutchman’s maiden campaign.

Despite regularly failing the eye test; Ten Hag’s Red Devils finished comfortably in the top 4 with 75 points and 23 wins; four more than Eddie Howe’s 4th place Newcastle. However, they also lost four more games than Newcastle; with the Magpies’ 14 draws proving the difference.

Hallmarks of Man United that season were nervy games balanced on a knife-edge; often decided by an individual moment of brilliance. Sound familiar? Ten Hag back then, and Howe right now; they’ve certainly been indebted to touches of magic from incredible talents; whether that’s Bruno Fernandes, Alexander Isak, or most recently… Harvey Barnes.

Barnes has been a conundrum for Howe ever since he arrived. The 8-0 victory over Sheffield United last year proved to be a season-defining moment for two of Newcastle’s big-money wingers. Barnes suffered a freak foot injury early on at 0-0 which ruled him out for several months in the infancy of his Newcastle career, while Anthony Gordon - benched that day - came on in his place to score and assist; never looking back since. He went on to claim our Player of the Season gong and reach double figures for goals and for assists.

Barnes showed flashes of talent off the bench upon his return last season, namely in the memorable comebacks against Luton and West Ham; where Newcastle reclaimed four points from two two-goal deficits. But it is this season where; in a myriad of mediocrity; Barnes has grabbed games by the scruff of the neck.

In Newcastle’s four league games; Barnes has only blanked once - in the opening day 10-man display against Southampton; coming on as a late substitute where clinging onto the 1-nil lead was the only mission statement. He has since come on against Bournemouth and Wolves to completely turn the game on its head, as well as bagging a sumptuous finish against Spurs.

We think it’s time to bring Barnes into your FPL side - but in place of who?

On paper, Isak, Barnes and Gordon seems like a sumptuous attacking triumvirate. In all four league games this season, at least one has gained attacking returns, with two getting returns in the same game-week in half of the matches so far; Barnes teeing up Gordon against Bournemouth and Barnes and Isak both bagging against Spurs.

Call me crazy, but I’ve decided to go big and put all three in my team.

While that might seem daft due to Isak’s potential injury; Howe has confirmed the forward is touch and go, so bringing Barnes in now and sticking with Isak (even on the bench) protects against potential price fluctuations in the coming days… we don't think the talented Swede will be out for long even if the worst is confirmed. But we also know Howe likes to keep the media guessing. There’s still a decent possibility all three could feature against Fulham today.

And should the worst happen and one gets dropped? We’ve already seen just how valuable Howe’s bench has been to him this season - with the regular argument that Barnes plays even better off the bench. If Isak or Gordon don’t get you… Barnes surely will.

As of Saturday morning, Isak (8.4) Gordon (7.4) and Barnes (6.4) have all lost 0.1M of value - and cost a combined 22.2M. For such an attacking side’s three most deadly finishers, it seems like a bargain; especially when you consider Newcastle have no Europe to contend with this season. And surely... it's only a matter of time before the team starts to click and we win games by two... three... four-goal margins? We proved even last year amongst the league's biggest injury crisis that we can still blow teams away.

Maybe it’s playing with fire? But with all three in my squad, I’m confident whoever comes into Eddie Howe’s side will have a fantastic chance of getting returns. When all three begin starting together… I’m expecting some BIG point hauls…