Eddie Howe can unlock full Newcastle potential with Harvey Barnes decision as clear message sent

It was a goal worthy of winning any game. It was a strike that once again raises the question: Is it time to start Harvey Barnes?

Sunday's ferocious winner at Wolves was the winger at his brilliant best. Ball out of the feet, a turn of pace, head up, goal. Few stars can replicate the striking power of Barnes from that range. After a season of injury struggles, the former Leicester City man is now proving his worth on Tyneside.

However, Barnes was again resigned to starting on the bench over the weekend, dropped out of the starting XI despite finding the net in Newcastle's win over Tottenham Hotspur before the international break.

READ MORE:Eddie Howe got it wrong against Wolves but now has Sandro Tonali answer after Newcastle win

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But is it time to throw the wide man back in from the outset? Our Chronicle Live panel have had their say.

Lee Ryder

Harvey Barnes was said to be "disappointed" not to start against Wolverhampton Wanderers after his goalscoring heroics against Tottenham Hotspur did not lead to him being one of the first names on the team sheet on Sunday.

The winger can therefore have every right to be furious if he's back on the sidelines against Fulham this weekend and in my opinion he should start at Craven Cottage.

A frontline of Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Barnes, regardless of how they line up, would be enough to petrify the Londoners. Jacob Murphy's form is curious after having a stunning pre-season and showing the best side of his abilities in the summer but then flunking on the big stage.

It may fire him up to bounce back again, something which he's done all the way through his career. But if we are picking a team on form then Barnes has to be in on Saturday afternoon.

Verdict: Eddie needs to pick the best team - start Barnes!

Ciaran Kelly

It felt harsh for Harvey Barnes to drop out after his goal against Spurs, but the forward offered the perfect response when he came on at Wolves. Rather than sulk, Barnes was just desperate to help his side get back into the game, staking a claim for a starting berth in the process.

There may be a temptation to keep Barnes in reserve - the vast majority of his goals for Newcastle have come as a substitute - at a time when the Magpies do not have Callum Wilson's goal threat from the bench. However, Barnes has scored in each of the two league starts he has made since May and Newcastle need to find a way of getting their most potent forwards to click from the off.

Yes, it changes the balance of the team - Anthony Gordon, like Barnes, is at his best cutting in from the left while Jacob Murphy offers natural width down the right - but Newcastle are not exactly firing as an attacking force at the moment and Barnes gives the team another outlet to ease the burden on Alexander Isak and Gordon.

Verdict: It changes the balance but Barnes is fit and firing - start him

Aaron Stokes

I've had my reservations, in recent weeks, over starting Harvey Barnes for a few reasons. Jacob Murphy's impressive pre-season performances, the fact moving Anthony Gordon from the left to the right isn't ideal and due to the fact I like the fact Eddie Howe has a £40m option ready to emerge from the bench to change a game when needed - as proved on Sunday at Molineux.

But it is hard to escape the fact Barnes is impressing, and proving quite consistent this season, and it is even harder to argue against the fact Barnes, Gordon and Alexander Isak are Newcastle's most potent trio.

The former Leicester man isn't perfect and definitely still has a way to go to nailing down a regular spot in Howe's XI but he's earned his shot from the outset in the coming games - even if it means shifting Gordon out to the opposite flank.

Verdict: Give him a deserved run in the team to nail down a spot

Andrew Musgrove

Given his goal-winning performance against Wolves, you'd be hard pressed to find someone who would say no but I still think Eddie Howe may opt for Jacob Murphy against Fulham.

After all, Murphy could have been the hero had his first half effort hit the back of the net.

Barnes is quickly silencing the doubters but there are still questions to whether he is more likely to make an impact off the bench than starting in the XI. I feel we'll only know the answer if he starts more games - he needs that run of games to prove he can do it.

His record for Leicester in the Premier League was superb, and we're seeing him show that at United. Regardless of what happen in the weeks to come, I'm sure Barnes will apply himself as he has done - accepting the decision of Howe, and getting on with his job.

Would I start him? Yes, although I fear that comes at the expense of Anthony Gordon who isn't the same player when he's forced to play off the left.

Verdict: Start him - but be wary of upsetting Gordon!

Stuart Jamieson

If we begin from the principle that your best players should start in their best positions, then Anthony Gordon is Newcastle United's first choice left-sided forward. The England star has proved time and again that he's at his most dangerous when running at defenders down the left flank, creating chances for others or cutting inside and having an effort on goal.

But, the same can also be said for Harvey Barnes, and his excellent second-half display against Wolves was not the first time this season that the former Leicester man has come on to change the game.

So what's the solution? Only playing one of them is looking increasingly like the wrong option. We know what Jacob Murphy brings to the right, but it's hard to argue that an 'out-of-position' Barnes or Gordon would not offer more.

Both have to play, for me, and I would start Barnes on the right. He's great at cutting inside, but let's see him beat his man and get some quality crosses into the box. I'm sure Alexander Isak would appreciate some decent service at long last.

Verdict: Start him - but out on the right