Newcastle's three Eddie Howe 'misfits' must keep kicking on amid bravery test

06:59, 14 Sep 2026Updated 07:52, 14 Sep 2026

Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United shakes hands with goalscorer Yoane Wissa(Image: 2026 Charlotte Wilson/Offside)

It's noticeable that despite the talk of a brave new world being inhabited by Newcastle United, it's several players who looked set to be victims of a revolution are leading the way.

When Eddie Howe stepped down as the Magpies manager in July, replaced by the largely unheralded Matthias Jaissle, it was something of a step into the unknown for the club. Likewise with the player recruitment - gone were the the big names of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, replaced by the likes of Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Bazoumana Toure.

The project, under the stewardship of Ross Wilson, had a very clear line of direction. The sporting director has since talked a lot of 'bravery' in the way United went about their business.

There was certainly an element of risk associated with the strategy. After the previous summer's recruitment was questioned, given the hit and miss status of it, this was a bold new way forward. Gone were looking to find oven-ready Premier League players; in came young players who had barely featured at the top level, most with no English football experience.

What has been clear, however, is that the Summer of 2025 class aren't done yet.

Much was made of Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga's signings 12 months ago. Both cost £55m and were brought in to hit the ground running. Neither achieved that feat for different reasons - injury, form, style of play. The duo suffered disappointing seasons - Elanga's form a frustration while Wissa barely started a game.

The latter was identified at the end of last season as someone who Newcastle would listen to offers for but after a good World Cup and a renewed hunger and fitness, the Dr Congo man is suddenly indispensable. Not many people would have put money on Wissa leading Newcastle's attack either as a No 9 or No 10, never mind wearing the captain's armband.

Elanga, too, has seen a turnaround in fortunes. After failing to score a Premier League goal last season he needed just four minutes this campaign to break his duck, and followed it up with the goal of the month vs Spurs.

Both players are now automatic starting picks, as it seems is Joe Willock. Another who looked to be on his way out of St James' Park, he is the perfect example of how a new manager can wipe the slate clean for a player. The Millwall matchwinner looks set to start for the fourth game in a row when Newcastle take on Leeds, alongside his other two 'misfits'.

That trio are likely to make up the bulk of an experienced frontline, with Harvey Barnes making up the Fab Four. Barnes too wasn't a guaranteed starter last season - generally playing back-up to Anthony Gordon - although his contribution was a lot more prolific with 16 goals.

It's a frontline, though, that would have been inconceivable six months ago. But as Toure and Matias Fernandez-Pardo try to get up to speed after their big-money summer moves, and William Osula recovers from injury, and Nick Woltemade enjoys life in Turin, it's one that Jaissle must trust in.

Perhaps not quite the brave new line-up envisaged by Wilson, but one that is doing the business. Of Newcastle's 10 goals this season, they've netted eight of them.

Newcastle's forward line has been criticised recently for a lack of creativity and cutting edge in the final third, and it may be that the lightening quick new boys can provide that spark in due course. Until then, however, they are showing they still have plenty to offer.

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