Eddie Howe responds to ‘harsh’ Anthony Elanga criticism
Since his £55 million move from Nottingham Forest, Elanga has yet to record a goal or assist in 11 appearances for Newcastle. His only notable attacking contribution came when he won a penalty in the Champions League clash with Union Saint-Gilloise — earning him UEFA’s Man of the Match award.
While the Swedish winger impressed last season with six goals and 12 assists for Forest, he also took time to find form, scoring his first goal in December.
Addressing the criticism over Elanga’s lack of end product, Howe insisted the numbers don’t tell the full story:
“It’s harsh to say he has no goals or assists because while that’s true statistically, he’s created plenty of chances that haven’t been finished. That’s not on him.”
Howe: “We need more from everyone”
Explaining his decision to replace Elanga, Howe emphasized it was a tactical adjustment rather than a punishment and refused to single out the winger for blame.
“Yes, we need more from everyone — it’s never just about one player,” Howe told The Gazette. “Anthony will be a great player for this club, I’ve got no doubt about that. Sometimes players just need a bit of time, a bit of luck, and one positive moment to really spark them into life.”
He continued:
“Too many of our attacking players aren’t producing enough right now — and that affects the whole team. From our forwards to our defenders’ distribution, it’s a collective issue, not an individual one.”
Newcastle have collected only nine points from their first eight Premier League matches, with their only wins coming against Nottingham Forest and Wolves, both in the bottom three. Their three defeats — including the one to Brighton — have all come from late goals conceded, highlighting the need for improved focus and attacking consistency across the squad.
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