Harvey Barnes is earning a reputation as Newcastle United's ultimate "super sub," and former Magpies defender John Anderson believes the winger might just be the club's sharpest finisher.

Barnes delivered yet another crucial impact off the bench on Sunday, entering the match in the 61st minute at Nottingham Forest and scoring Newcastle's only goal to salvage a valuable point. It's a role the 28-year-old has made his own this season.

"I wouldn't disagree with that at all," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle when asked if Barnes is the club's best finisher. "He gets in those positions. You put your house on it. He doesn't panic, he's calm, puts his foot through it, goes either side—yes, you'd probably say that he is the best finisher at the club."

The numbers back up the praise. Across all competitions this season, Barnes has started 32 of his 56 appearances, scoring 11 of his 16 goals from the starting XI. But his efficiency tells a different story: he scores every 240 minutes when starting, compared to every 120 minutes when introduced as a substitute. That's twice as lethal from the bench.

"Full credit to him," Anderson added. "He's never been a regular. He's been in and out of the side and used as, I suppose, a super sub. But he's had more of an impact coming off the bench than starting games. He's scored important goals for us coming off the bench."

So why doesn't Barnes start more often? Anderson points to fierce competition on the left flank. "He probably wants to start on that left-hand side. For the majority of the season, Anthony Gordon's got that gig. When Gordon played through the middle, Barnes got a few games on the left. But as I say, he's had more of an impact for me coming off the bench. Yet again, he comes off the bench and scores an important goal for us."

For Newcastle fans, Barnes has become the ultimate game-changer—a calm, clinical finisher who thrives when the pressure is on. Whether he's starting or not, his impact is undeniable.