Eddie Howe urged to make specific Newcastle United change to target West Ham 'headache' position

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been urged to return Anthony Gordon to his natural left flank position against West Ham United on Monday night to get the best out of the England international and ensure Julen Lopetegui's struggling side don't leave the North East with any points.

The Northern Echo Chief Sports Writer Scott Wilson took a deep dive into Gordon's performances across the pitch this season as the former Everton man continues to be deployed in different positions by Howe. The winger started on the right against Nottingham Forest before the international break but impressed when on the left for England against Ireland on Sunday, scoring his first international goal.

Wilson advised Howe to play Gordon on that wing against the Hammers next week too, to pose the most problems for a leaky Lopetegui defence. The chance of facing the 23-year-old at his most electric would be a headache for West Ham right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who has started all of the side's last nine Premier League fixtures having completed a move from Manchester Untied this summer.

The Northern Echo points to Gordon's body language when deployed on the right as a sign that the winger loses some of his electricity on the opposite flank, adding that he looks 'uncomfortable' at times. The report suggests that should Gordon play on the right, and come up against Hammers left-back Emerson, who could be reluctant to go outside the defender.

It is suggested that should Howe take inspiration from Gordon's England performance and switch him back to the left against West Ham, that could leave Joelinton being moved onto the right and breaking the link-up he has developed with midfielder Joe Willock - although Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron would be more natural options to take on the right winger role.

Lopetegui faces right-back headache

Should Gordon start on the left against West Ham, it will shine a light on the right-back spot for Lopegetui's side, which has become somewhat of a tense problem for the manager. Wan-Bissaka has been preferred this season but was subbed early against Everton last time out in favour of the experienced Valdimir Coufal.

Coufal was a mainstay in the starting XI under David Moyes but has found game time hard to come by this term even as Lopegetui's Hammers side struggles for consistency. Speaking to Czech media outlet Sport recently, the player vented his frustration at the situation and even hinted at a potential exit.

Coufal said: "When I talked to the coach he told me that he was extremely happy with me. That he is convinced that I will get more minutes, more chances and start playing, that I am a great professional. I can’t say a bad word against the coach, or he has against me, it’s just that we don’t have a good time on the pitch yet..

“If it should continue like this, we have to sit down and see what to do next. I definitely don’t want to sit on the bench, I still feel like I can play in the Premier League.”