Anthony Gordon (now playing for FC Barcelona)

[Kid Icarus]

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

[relámpago blanco]

1 minute ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

I agree but its taken ages for him to learn the position.

[Holloway]

5 minutes ago, pinkeye said:

Gordon on the Left

Osula on the right 

Woltermade in the middle

 

Could be the solution to all of our recent mediocraty.

 

I don't think he wants to play on the left eventually, but I'll bet Eddie is eyeing this fluid attack idea with the pace we have available.Options, with Nick just behind for certain games,it's an exciting prospect 

[Holloway]

4 minutes ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

I remember saying 'he'll never be a striker as long as he has a hole in his arse' 

If I was him I'd be putting in extra hours on shooting,right and left 

[1964]

I'm more concerned about how hecan raise his game against a 'big' club, but be utterly hopeless against lesser sides

[Kid Icarus]

6 minutes ago, relámpago blanco said:

I agree but its taken ages for him to learn the position.

 

It has, I'm pleased Howe kept trying it though with hindsight. He really believes in his players like. 

[Yorkie]

3 minutes ago, Holloway said:

I remember saying 'he'll never be a striker as long as he has a hole in his arse' 

If I was him I'd be putting in extra hours on shooting,right and left 

 

This is it. He knows how to play the role but the finishing issue needs remedying if it's gonna be his future.

[Lish007]

Its one of the reasons i think Gordon will stay despite potential interest from other clubs. Someone is finally taking his no. 9 role seriously - im not sure hed'd make it through the middle at other clubs yet. 

 

Happy for him to fight Wissa for the no 9 role with Big Nick behind!

[Lush Vlad]

4 hours ago, Newcastle Fan said:

Incredible work for our first goal, stole the ball and had a go at their team on his own to win the penalty, and then score it.

 

I love how from the minute Ramsey was sent off.  The way he started playing was like he was proper fucked off with it all and wanted to take the game by the scruff of the neck.  He seemed to get even quicker. 

 

Fuelled by a sense of injustice  

[SteV]

30 minutes ago, 1964 said:

I'm more concerned about how hecan raise his game against a 'big' club, but be utterly hopeless against lesser sides

He scored 4 in the first half against the worst team we’ve played this season…

[Lush Vlad]

37 minutes ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

 

I still think he will come unstuck when playing against teams that sit deep and have aggressive meathead CB's.  Exactly like Everton at the weekend just gone.  Although him shifting positions was more down to Woltemade and Joelinton not working at all in their respective positions. 

 

I don't think his movement is bad or anything.  He actually looks to drop in and link play, he looks good coming deep for the ball and of course can go in behind and brings energy to our press.  I just don't think he has much presence (none of our strikers do), unless he has space to work in.  He has looked our best option up there this season.  But that isn't necessarily a ringing endorsement.  I still wouldn't want to be relying on him finishing say, 1 of 3 half decent chances that come his way during a game.  He is still barely scoring from open play in the league and I don't think he is a quality finisher or a clean striker of the ball.  I'm not sure he ever will be. 

 

The next 4 games should really be ideal for his playing style.  City and Barca in particular leave acres in behind and are often short on numbers at the back on transitions.  I think he can and will cause them all sorts of problems, actually. 

[Geordie Ahmed]

42 minutes ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

 

I'd love for him to work on his finishing but that's being greedy but even taking him as he is then I absolutely have changed my mind

 

I think the Liverpool game, even though he got sent off was the first time I played the role to a decent standard but lately he's been getting better and better

 

Ultimately, just goes to show Howe puts a lot of thought into his decisions, fools will criticise him and say he only picks Gordon up front because he's "his favourite" but the performances of late show he's picked him because it's the right decision for the team 

[Keefaz]

He's miles better than our other options. 

[Stottie]

49 minutes ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

I thought it was bad for him because it was too much responsibility and he would try too hard. Trying too hard is how the red card challenge on VVD came across.

 

There was also the issue at the very start of the season that he was replacing Isak without us having signed anyone else. So more responsibility/pressure, especially with him not in form and coming off a difficult "second" (actually third) season where he'd not scored or assisted for a while and had been send off (prob harshly) against Brighton in the Cup. I'm sure everyone remembers that "more red cards than goals or assists in the last dozen plus games" stat.

 

I must also admit to not being that impressed by what I saw of him playing false 9 for England U21s, even though he got player of the tournament. Big Nick looked much better at that level the next time it was held. Osula got three in that tournament too, no?

[Adam P]

I thought he was excellent last night. One of our best players this year overall. Thiaw, Hall, Bruno, and Gordon are our best peformers over the season given injuries etc. Or should someone go ahead of him in that list of 4? Tonali? Trippier? Dont see it myself, notwithstanding how good those 2 were last night.

[AJ9]

As I’ve said before, I like him

much better as a 9 than a winger. If that’s the long term plan, we could maybe start to see if any of these academy lads are ready to step up on the left?

[alexf]

2 hours ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

After the first few games of the season where we couldn't score to save our lives and he kept fluffing big chances like in that Barca game etc. I would have likely said at the time that he can't be our CF. He seemed to lack the finishing instincts and technique.

But we were going from watching an ice cool deadly finisher like Isak to Gordon who looked like he couldn't finish his lunch. 

But this 2nd attempt at playing him through the middle has been a lot better. This time we were going from watching Woltemade and Wissa really struggling to make an impact and even without the finishing, what we gained in having Gordon's pressing and energy helped benefit the rest of the team. His finishing is still a concern as outside of the 2 nice finishes we saw against Qarabag, everything else has still been penalties. Even last night you wonder if he can do better with that chance from the corner. 

But there are enough promising signs to persist with the experiment and he seems to really like playing there which suggests he will keep growing and learning how to improve in the position. As we have seen, a motivated Gordon is far better than the disinterested grumpy version. 

[nufc123]

3 hours ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

Yes. Maybe its because they have worked with him in training in the striker position. Its a big difference watching him lately and the first game he had there (Everton away?).

[Optimistic Nut]

Absolutely outstanding for the penalty. Won it on half way then just ran at them. Was peak 23/24 season Gordon that. 

[Smal]

5 hours ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

it’s weird because he won player of the tournament for England under 21s playing that position, but he’s never looked like being anywhere near able to do it for us until recently.

 

I still need to see him play like this in 3pm kick-offs against less reputable opposition, mind. It’s his biggest issue.

[nufcjmc]

I mean does he want to go back on the wing anymore? 

Is this what we want from our wide forwards anyway being able to play across the front 3? 

 

I am still desperate for us to try and play with a 10 him dropping deep to receive or playing off someone would I think be great to see. 

 

Appreciate he missed that back post chance but his energy and willingness to run (when he wants to that is part of a problem) just shows he is great when he's on one. 

 

I hope the faith showed by the manager in him along with the pending world cup will spur him on to finish the season strong these last 10+ games. 

 

 

[Pilko]

6 hours ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

 

Sort of, yeah. I was definitely of that view earlier in the season, where he clearly put in a lot of effort, grafted, lead the press but didn't get on the end of the scant amount of chances we were creating and generally couldn't finish his dinner when he did.

 

He also didn't seem to link the play as much as he did now, those deft touches on halfway he's doing now where he's setting the midfield into an attack were nowhere early doors in the season.

 

I think it's a mixture of him channeling his effort in a more intelligent fashion, the emergence of Ramsey/Willock further up the pitch in the midfield mix which looked too deep and flat in the early days of the season (credit Howe for fixing the attacking aspect of it - still not perfect, but much much better) and also having some actual competition for the place in the shape of Wissa who whilst looking crap so far should "on paper" have the shirt.

 

Still not totally convinced he's a long term play as a "proper" forward unless we change our shape and style this summer in a fairly big way... but for now he's making it work and I much prefer him there than on the left, where I still find him frustrating and profligate in the main.

 

 

Edited March 5 by Pilko

[Andy84]

6 hours ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

I was one of those and have now changed my mind 

[Conjo]

6 hours ago, Kid Icarus said:

Just curious about whether anyone who has previously said something along the lines of 'he's never a CF/Striker/number 9' has now changed their mind?

 

It's not about digging people out, it was a common and well-justified opinion, but I'm interested about whether his turnaround in that position under Howe from a seemingly hopeless situation has been eye-opening in terms of what's possible with Howe's coaching. 

 

I still don't see it. He's faster than Woltemade and Wissa so will press better out of possession in our system. As for what he does up top when we're in possession? Idk, I don't see it. The penalty he won us came from him going out wide and cutting inside, so if anything isn't that just an indication that he's more suited there?

 

I still think we could be a better team if we used our wingers more as wide forwards, and Woltemade as a deeper lying striker, and that Gordon is a better wide player than striker.

[The College Dropout]

Always thought he was ok upfront.  Not the worst. 
Dont think he’s great at it now. But he’s the best we have.