Dan Gosling’s agent David Hodgson has backed the forgotten midfielder to save his Newcastle career and become a David Platt like figure in the United midfield.
With rumours circulating that Gosling me be axed in the summer Hodgson, speaking to The Journal, revealed the 22-year-old is battling to save his Newcastle career after becoming disillusioned with the limited opportunities he’s had this season under Alan Pardew. The former Everton man has started just one game this term against Norwich in December, which ended with him being shown a straight red card in the 66th minute.
Despite his lack of first team football Hodgson divulged that there have been no signs that Newcastle want to offload Gosling who signed for the club whilst undergoing treatment for a cruciate knee injury. However his return to full fitness this campaign hasn’t been enough to win him a place in Pardew’s midfield and Hodgson believes he needs to stop trying so hard to impress the Magpies boss.
He said: “I don’t know what Newcastle United’s thoughts are, they will make their decision. At this stage I have received no indications that they want to cash in on Dan (Gosling).
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“He has to win over Alan Pardew but he’s trying too hard to win over Alan Pardew at the moment.
“He is trying too hard but I don’t think he has to try too hard.”
Hodgson attributes Gosling’s lack of game time to the shift in his style of play with the England under-21 man operating in a more withdrawn capacity as opposed to the box-to-box role that won him many admirers during his time at Goodison Park.
Should the former Toffees star find himself with a run in the first team at St James’ Park Hodgson is convinced he can become Newcastles answer to David Platt and provide a stream of goals from the black and white engine room.
“My advice to him is that he’s trying to be that “quarter back” type player and that’s not his job. His strength is his goals and his goal-scoring ability.” Hodgson said.
“Look at the stats of the boy going in the box. He gets in the box more than any other player at Newcastle United and he could be that player who scores seven to ten goals a season for them. I would say he’s more of a David Platt-type player.”
He added: “What he really needs right now is a bit of a confidence boost. Everyone needs that when they have gone through a tough spell.
“When he comes back in the summer he will have his first full pre-season for a while and then we will see what Dan Gosling can do for Newcastle United.”
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