Highly rated local lad Elliot Anderson received a January offer to join Luton Town on loan, according to The Chronicle.
However, it is believed Steve Bruce ‘blocked’ the Championship side’s loan bid, insisting at the time that the attacking midfielder would be getting a chance in the near future.
A few months on and it’s starting to look like a really poor decision from the Newcastle United boss.
After all, Anderson has barely featured since the turn of the year and has missed out on most matchday squads – which is frustrating for his development when a spell in the second tier with Luton could’ve been EXACTLY what he needed as he makes the step up to senior level.
One silver lining is that Anderson may yet be handed his chance over the coming weeks if injuries to Almiron and Saint-Maximin rule them out for the foreseeable future. Speculation still continues with how bad the injuries are, but are likely to be sidelined for a few weeks at least.
The 18 year-old has only made one senior team appearance and has recently found himself back in the U-23’s – scoring in last weeks 3-2 win vs West Brom before picking up a knock that’s ruled him out of their clash with Reading on Monday afternoon.
Appearing against Arsenal in the FA Cup, Anderson looked very comfortable coping with the pace and physicality of the game, making this move to keep him at the club seem like a real missed opportunity.
Bruce a absolute A Hole, he doesn’t bring the youth through but it appears he doesn’t like other clubs to bring them on either. Total self righteous tool.
If you don’t want to use the youth why.
Paul Estebanez(Quote)
Done the same to young Longstaff
Dave(Quote)
The kids are the future and should be given game time, they cant be as bad as some of our so called stars !!!!! strange how other teams seem to manage it, but we can’t. Its not just Bruce though most of our managers have always been reluctant to bring youngsters into the side, I remember Keegan getting rid of the reserves.
Jaz(Quote)
Yup why not give Anderson a chance you have nowt to lose Bruce with no Almiron or St Maximum we need creativity. And why not while your on bring the longstaff brothers in, awh yes I remember now they aren’t playing very well at mo. Isn’t that down to the fat controller again they seem to have gone backwards under him. Get rid of this clown now Ashley before it’s to late bring in Eddie Howe.
Marty(Quote)
So you’re having a go at Bruce for keeping Anderson at Newcastle and giving him the opportunity of a first team start? Really?
We have Wilson, ASM and Miggy out injured and we have Gayle who at best is Championship quality, and Andy Carroll who is not guaranteed to even make it through a game.
I’d say that Bruce’s decision to keep hold of the young lad was a very good one and that we should see him playing very soon.
Again, that may not fit in with the sites agenda of “hate at all costs” but hey, when you pander to the mob there’s always a price to pay.
BykerBill(Quote)