Heron

Shite that Bruno imposter.

Yep, I think so too, and that would probably be right.

Such a weird remark you keep making. Folk like myself could argue that you think you know more about body language by suggesting the opposite.

Maybe in that instance, but I won't simply forget it like. That's not to say I think we should sell him or anything. However, I would be expecting him to take the goal into some renewed form in the new season.

Most likely. I was of the view at the time that Longstaff was being correctly utilised until Howe could tinker with the midfield and tactics to make Tonali into the player we all see. I still think that was right. (I KNOW - GET ME RIGHT! ) There were never doubts that Tonali was the more capable and talented, just that we needed to find the right solution for the team. I think Howe sees Tonali and Longstaff as the like for like replacements and instead Miley probably is more like for like with Bruno and Willock for Joelinton, personally. Despite each CM or option offering slightly different attributes. One thing I think folk are guilty of is thinking the most talented 11 are the best 11 and that isn't always the case. Not saying that is the case with Gordon necessarily but just an observation from multiple debates.

I can think of abuse that Dan Burn, Sean Longstaff and Jacob Muprhy have all received in this last 18months alone, too.

I'm genuinely baffled as to why any of our fans would shout at him "scouse cunt" tbh as that's not really constructive in any shape or form is it... I'm just speaking from my personal point of view here but as a general rule of thumb I am far more more likely to criticise talented players with (perceived) bad attitude than those who are (also perceived - by most) to have less talent and whom exhibit the absolutely right attitude. You will always see me critiquing a Gordon over a Murphy. That is because I am of the view that someone giving their absolute maximum and whom isn't capable of performing any better than their existing performances isn't going to benefit from any criticism and it becomes the managers, and the clubs job to replace them with someone more capable. As it happens, Murphy is now a bad example of this as he demonstrating he is capable of performing to a relatively high level. Whereas, I think attitude is something that can be changed with more ease (than capability) and I think the right attitude is a prerequisite of any professional. Of course, they are only human and will have ups and downs that impact their game, but generally they should have a base level of professionalism. I'm of the view that Gordon hasn't been exhibiting the same attitude or morale from last season and subsequently he has been poorer. I believe his (goal involvement) stats reflect that. It is, however, interesting to see his number of sprints. What I would like to see is how many of them were defensive by comparison to others in his position. Aside from stats, I can see that he often gets tackled and mopes about...

I think you're taking a lot more out of this than folk are actually saying tbh. No one is driving him out from what I see. Just saying he is playing poor and is showing a bad attitude. There are probably several reasons for it, one being that he himself acknowledges that he isn't playing well, another that he isn't starting (and nor should he be), another that he didn't get game time for England and possibly that he thinks he may have got it if he was at another club (possibly!). He is our lowest performing winger/forward this season based on goal involvements and so he has dropped off from last season. Folk are highlighting that and also highlighting noticeable changes to his tracking back. The sprints thing comes as a surprise to me and aye, you cannot fault that effort going forward, absolutely, but running lots doesn't equate to good form either. I don't believe Eddie Howe expects forwards to only attack, perhaps with the exception of say Isak. Therefore, I suspect he too is also considering that Gordon needs to work his way back into Howe's usual set up. We've had to change our set up recently and he's factored in that change again but is yet to show why, should we return to type, he'd be ahead of Barnes. I don't really see many saying flog him or that he's shite, simply that he needs to show the right attitude and improve, which seemingly both he and Howe are acknowledging in their own respective ways. I agree that wanting to sell Gordon is daft, but an in form Gordon wouldn't even have that question mark over him.

He doesn't show the same attitude as last season, I look at the goal at Southampton away as an example where he did absolutely nothing to help the defence and imo cost us that goal, he cost us the goal at Arsenal the weekend, and on numerous occasions across the season has done zero tracking back and instead has opted to go down, take ages to get back up and then strolled back like it wasn't his job to defend. There's two answers for that- he's been told not to tactically, or his attitude has changed and I suspect it's the latter. If you cannot see that, that hasn't been happening then you need to look beyond him being a 'good' footballer and giving him the benefit of the doubt. Cause it absolutely has been happening. I'm not saying he needs sold or that he's shite - just that he clearly isn't motivated in the same way or playing his best and needs to get himself in the same head space he was in previously. Ridiculous calling folk 'stupid Everton fans' for pointing out clear and obvious elements to someone's mannerisms. I seem to recall him against Man City at home chasing back and tackling and getting into some great positions and really affecting the game. Perhaps as a result of the display for him in a rare occasion he did seem motivated in the right way this season. That's where we want him to be as often as possible again.

The difference is that players like Gordon are considered talented and Murphy not. Murphy gets a rough ride for the vast, vast majority of the time - even when he's playing out his skin (in terms of form) and players like Gordon get an easy ride even when he's not performing to his best (or even well) is my view. He deserves his criticisms - because his attitude is wrong. If his attitude wasn't wrong, I'd not be on his back (personally). I absolutely love Murphy because he is an absolute model pro and role model. He also has less goal involvements than both Barnes and Murphy in 1 less game than Murphy and one more than Barnes. (The last paragraph is from my previously edited post which may have been missed.)

People know how good he can be and consistenly can be as a result. Therefore, he has been poor - because he isn't playing to his capability.

He wasn't like. He's not been anywhere near last seasons levels all season. He went through a spell of getting goals and assists but hasn't shown the same attitude (as last season) all season. One of the reasons WFs did the display versus Man City was to perk him up as it seemed he needed it. He is clearly a very good and impactful player on his day but this season has displayed that on very few occasions. He also has less goal involvements than both Barnes and Murphy in 1 less game than Murphy and one more than Barnes.

The in-laws support Inter so they're my choice.

Forza Parma. Forza Inter. Forza calcio!

I wish we had CL wrapped up cause Burn would have done him like.

He was saying we're a very good side, etc. And commented how we'd beat them 3 times this season. Agree he's very likeable.

I think you're both entirely inaccurate We've changed tactics numerous times recently and to good effect. So this "no plan B" is nonsense.

Exactly. Gordon has demonstrated that when he is at his best he is tenacious and full of running both forward and back and he himself even said his attitude was that if he runs more than everyone else and harder than everyone else he will likely outperform them. He's stopped doing that. So by definition (to me) that says his attitude is off (or he's being told to run less - which seems unlikely).

Not necessarily. I don't think folk are saying he's shite, just that he needs to get his head out his arse and show the same attitude as previous seasons (and not the attitude he had when he first arrived - which he is now displaying again).

I don't think it is entirely knee jerk reaction. He was very lucky we won the cup cause his stupid actions could have cost us and all season he has shown petulance (which he has also done previously). I find it bizarre that people talk of Murphy having a 'purple patch' still despite showing exemplary behaviour and consistent performances all season and then we cannot talk about someone showing poor attitude and whom is out of form (despite being considered a more talented player).

Have said the same to my mates. He's not been the same since not getting his game for England.

Yep.

Has been poor again but more worryingly for me it's his (perceived) attitude.