Pundits including Alan Shearer, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney questioned the decision to start Anthony Gordon on the bench in Newcastle’s Champions League game against Barcelona.
Eddie Howe calls off press conference to defend Anthony Gordon (Image: Julian Finney – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has hit back at pundits who questioned the professionalism of Anthony Gordon, who was substituted on the bench against Barcelona. Gordon, 25, was unfit ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg at St James’ Park.
The England international recovered in time to be included in the match day squad, but was only named on the bench. Before kick-off, Howe explained that Gordon was not fit enough to start, leading to criticism from Alan Shearer, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney.
Newcastle legend Shearer told Prime Video Sport: “I may be an old-school guy, but if you’re fit enough to train in the morning, and I know he’s not feeling well, this is Barcelona against Newcastle for a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals. It’s going to take something extraordinary to avoid this game tonight.”
The next day, as Newcastle conceded a late penalty and drew 1-1, Roy Keane asked on the Stick to Football podcast: “How can you play 30 minutes when you’re unwell? Isn’t that strange?”
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After Gary Neville defended Gordon, who came on as a substitute and played 30 minutes, Keane claimed: “Oh Gary, you interviewed him last year and thought he was a really good guy! Why would you come in for 30 minutes when you’re unwell?”
“Every week you hear managers saying, ‘He’s not good enough to start, but he’s good enough to be on the bench.'” Something could happen in five minutes. I don’t understand. If he’s that important, start him up and take him down after 30 minutes. ”
Wayne Rooney added: “Before the game Eddie Howe said he was fit for probably another 20, 30 minutes. That’s what the sports scientists and doctors are saying (suggesting he can play). If he’s sick, he’s sick.”
“He shouldn’t have been there. He walked past us before the game and wouldn’t shake our hands. He said he didn’t want us to catch anything, but he was going to go into the locker room with his teammates afterwards.”
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Anthony Gordon remains unwell and missed Friday’s training (Image: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Howe felt forced to address the criticism in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to Chelsea. “We have some things to sort out with Anthony Gordon,” the Magpies manager began. “He was absolutely keen to play in the match against Barcelona.
“I know there will be a lot of comments. It was my decision not to start him based on the fact that he was unwell that morning and did not take part in the training session. So he was ready to play, but after consulting with the medical team we did not think he was fit to play.”
Howe continued: “My understanding is that he’s under a lot of scrutiny, but I think that comes with being a top player. As soon as you play for England, you reach another level in terms of scrutiny and expectations. I think Ant has done that well and he’s got such a single-mindedness that he drowns out a lot of the noise. That’s one of his strengths.”
Alan Shearer was among those who questioned Anthony Gordon’s professionalism (Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
“I would classify him as a winner. He wants to win everything and is a true competitor. I think he has the qualities that every top player needs. He is very single-minded, very focused on his own development and his game. I have nothing but really glowing things to say about him this year. He is probably in his best moment of the season.”
Despite playing against Barcelona, Gordon missed Friday’s training and his availability for next Wednesday’s second leg remains doubtful. “We trained this morning and Anthony didn’t make it,” Howe revealed.
“So this is a pretty good sign that he’s not in the best shape. Even though it was a short period of time, the doctors and everyone did a great job of getting him on the starting line for us. When he came out, I thought he made a good contribution.”
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