Newcastle’s 22-year-old confesses he was ‘disappointed’ with Eddie Howe yesterday.
Anthony Gordon has shown that he can be a difference maker for Newcastle United even when he does not start.
For the first time this season, the 22-year-old was named to Newcastle’s bench for the game against Sheffield United, with Harvey Barnes taking his spot on the left.
However, the summer acquisition suffered an early injury, allowing Gordon to enter the game in the 12th minute.
He had an immediate effect, assisting Sean Longstaff on Newcastle’s opening goal of the afternoon. The winger did an excellent job to get his second assist of the season, albeit it might have easily been chalked off for a handball in the buildup.
Gordon then scored himself, making it 5-0 in the 61st minute with a long-range shot. It was a fantastic strike and a well-deserved goal. He was Newcastle’s finest player at Bramall Lane, and he was selected Player Of The Match following the final whistle.
The former Everton man has continued his impressive start to the season, and he has now acknowledged that he was upset not to start against the Blades.
Anthony Gordon was desperate to make his debut against Sheffield United.
Gordon speaks on NUFC TV after the 8-0 victory. He was questioned if he would prefer sit on the bench than start the game.
“I was a bit disappointed,” he admitted.
“I want to start every game; I’m playing well right now, so I didn’t want to come out [of the side].”
“Ultimately, we have a really difficult season ahead of us, and I imagine there will be a lot of rotation.” It’s a team game, and when I came on, all I had to do was play my part. I wasn’t sulking; I was just trying to influence the game as much as I could for the team.”
This season, Newcastle must make use of their squad.
It’s nice to see Gordon let down. Each player should aspire to be in the starting lineup.But he didn’t mope around; instead, he put on a fantastic performance that cemented his position as Newcastle’s key creative force.
This season, as he says, there will be a lot of rotation. The Magpies have a lot of games coming up, so Eddie Howe must keep his squad healthy by constantly changing it up.
On Sunday, he made four changes to his starting lineup. Even more changes are likely on Wednesday night, when Newcastle hosts Manchester City in the Carabao Cup at St James’ Park.
Gordon will be anxious to return to the starting lineup, and he should be after an impressive performance off the bench on Sunday.
