Newcastle United fans turn on one player after crushing Barcelona defeat and ask,’What does he actually do?’

Following Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in a thrilling Champions League encounter at St. James’ Park, a wave of frustration has swept through the Magpies’ faithful, with much of the criticism aimed squarely at forward Harvey Barnes. Despite a spirited first-half performance from Newcastle that saw them create a number of clear-cut opportunities, it was their failure to convert those chances that ultimately proved their undoing, and Barnes was singled out as a prime culprit.

The former Leicester City man had one of the best chances of the game, finding himself in a one-on-one situation with Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia, but his shot was well saved, a moment that many fans felt was a turning point. On social media platforms and in fan forums, the sentiment was clear: Barnes was wasteful.

One supporter on X (formerly Twitter) lamented, “We should have been 2-0 up at halftime. Barnes has to bury that chance. You can’t miss those opportunities against a team like Barcelona.” Another added, “He works hard, but his finishing just isn’t there. That’s the difference at this level.”

While acknowledging the team’s overall effort, many felt that a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal cost them a valuable result. The criticism of Barnes is not new, with some fans having previously questioned his end product and consistency. The missed opportunity against a team of Barcelona’s calibre has only amplified those concerns, leaving supporters to ponder what might have been had their chances been taken.