'He has done his job': Eddie Howe leaps to defence of £55m summer signing after slow start to Newcastle United career
A player is always going to be judged on the actions that define their position, whether that's fair or not, and Eddie Howe believes one of his Newcastle United stars is being judged unfairly right now.
The reality is, a striker isn't going to be praised for his clean sheets, and a winger isn't going to be judged on the number of goal-line blocks.
Forwards are judged on goals and goal involvements, and the sad reality for Anthony Elanga, who joined the Magpies from Nottingham Forest for £55 million in the summer has zero to his name right now.
However, those stats don't tell the whole story, as Eddie Howe was quick to point out on Friday as he faced the media.
Eddie Howe refuses to criticise Anthony Elanga for having no goal involvements at this stage of the season
Football is a harsh realm, and Howe feels Elanga is being judged harshly for not having any goal involvements yet, as it's not all on him.
“It’s harsh to say he’s got no goals or assists. Statistically, that is right. But you look at the chances he has created and sometimes it’s not on him that players he has served haven’t scored. I always think that is a tough one.
“If Nick [Woltemade] scores Jacob [Murphy’s] cross with the header, [Murphy] gets the assist. Vice-versa, if someone misses an opportunity, that assist doesn’t happen.
“He has done his job several times but it hasn’t ended up in a goal. I have been really pleased with his general contribution and he’s looked a threat.
“You see what strengths he will bring. He has that raw pace and power that is so difficult to defend against. But I think he can get better and improve and we can help him do that as we continue to work with him.”
Anthony Elanga has been close to breaking his duck
Elanga has actually created some good chances for Newcastle already this season, but there just hasn't been anyone on hand to put the ball in the net.
He's had a few opportunities to score, too, which he hasn't taken, but these things are very much confidence-driven and will come.
We were highly impressed with his effort against Barcelona and again against Bradford. As we keep saying, the team is in a transition right now with so many new faces, but when it clicks, the Magpies will take off.
