Anthony Gordon (now playing for FC Barcelona)

[Menace]

I'm still scratching my head that Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona.

 

Anthony Gordon.

[STM]

Gordon:

 

Pros:

 

Electric Pace

Big game player

Great pens

Very good at pressing

Has a strong mentality (in terms of self improvement, belief in himself)

Makes decent runs off the ball

 

Cons:

Not particularly good on the ball (at the elite level)

Not a great passer

Not a great finisher

Not a great hold up player (if playing central)

Very inconsistent 

Doesn't seem to turn up away from home

Lazy when tracking back

Seems to play for himself on occasion 

Has a somewhat marmite character 

 

[KaKa]

"If Barcelona and Bayern come, what was the deciding factor for Gordon not coming to Munich?" Muller asked on the BILD podcast 'Bayern Insider'.

 

"I know Hansi Flick very well, of course. It’s a lot of fun playing under him, both in terms of his leadership and his style of play. But I would go to FC Bayern."

 

[Dr Venkman]

4 minutes ago, STM said:

Gordon:

 

Pros:

 

Electric Pace

Big game player

Great pens

Very good at pressing

Has a strong mentality (in terms of self improvement, belief in himself)

Makes decent runs off the ball

 

Cons:

Not particularly good on the ball (at the elite level)

Not a great passer

Not a great finisher

Not a great hold up player (if playing central)

Very inconsistent 

Doesn't seem to turn up away from home

Lazy when tracking back

Seems to play for himself on occasion 

Has a somewhat marmite character 

 

Falls over when he tries to shoot.

[STM]

Just now, Dr Venkman said:

Falls over when he tries to shoot.

 

Its incredible the difference in feeling between Barnes and Gordon when in on goal

[samptime29]

2 hours ago, TaylorJ_01 said:

It's all very false.

 

He talks as if we meant a huge amount to him and he "loved every minute" etc etc.

 

The reality is he half-arsed it for nearly 2 seasons, refused to play in certain positions, faked injuries, cost us games by being a fanny and getting sent off, and contributed very little other than pens. Then he down tools for the end of the season as we were chasing Europe and went off to learn Spanish. All while we shove £150,000/week up his arse like mugs.

 

If he really cared about us he'd have insisted in helping us turn our form around and get higher in the table.

 

The media circus is all designed to gloss over that and retrain our memory, and it's fine, but it's not the reality is it.

 

We've won a cup and had two champions league campaigns and Gordon was important to that. Come on man! This is far too negative and nitpicky.

[Dr Venkman]

2 minutes ago, STM said:

 

Its incredible the difference in feeling between Barnes and Gordon when in on goal

Shearer/Shola.

[The College Dropout]

24 minutes ago, Andy said:

 

Performance-wise and in terms of overall contribution, Isak was infinitely better than Gordon, particularly in their respective final seasons. 

 

The main differences between the two sagas are (a) one of them went to a club we don't like, and (b) the club didn't want to sell one of the players, but were quite happy to sell the other. The narrative around the two situations is completely different as a result of those two factors.

 

Yes Isak went on strike and acted a cunt, but Gordon never had the need to do so as the club didn't dig their heels in. I'd bet my house that if we'd stopped him going to Barcelona he would've done exactly the same thing. 

Very true. The major difference is how thr club have handled it and they handled it a lot better this time.  
 

I actually think Isak deserved his move a lot more. He had the same contract for all 3 years and was our standout player for 2 of those years - good in the other too. 
 

Gordon never fully recovered from having his head turned but signed a bumper new deal afterwards anyway. At best couldn’t find his best form after. 

25 minutes ago, Superior Acuña said:

Probably because Howe wanted to plan for the future and not play a player he’d agreed to sell, and not scupper a move by injuring him.

 

The fact Howe had him the squad does not suggest he was on strike. Nor him smiling with coaching staff. And that Athletic article says it was Howe’s choice and Gordon was happy to play. You can criticise his performances and say he’s not been on it as much the last 2 years or whatever. But unless you’re very ITK you maintaining he downed tools and behaved like Isak is just making stuff up. 

 

 

 

It doesn’t reflect well on him I’m sorry. Professionalism is Guehi playing for Palace with 6 months left on his contract with a City move pending, when a previous move fell at the last hurdle too. On half the money Gordon is on.  Ditto Semenyo, scored the winner for Bournemouth the day before signing for City. 
 

If Gordon was playing at his best level consistently, fully committed, training at 100% and raring to go - would Howe bench him? 
 

I will never be able to prove it. But if Gordon’s England place for the World Cup was in the balance and he needed to show something he would’ve played. I can’t respect a player that was happy to sit out numerous games at the end of a season to protect a move.  

[Lush Vlad]

38 minutes ago, STM said:

Gordon:

 

Pros:

 

Electric Pace

Big game player

Great pens

Very good at pressing

Has a strong mentality (in terms of self improvement, belief in himself)

Makes decent runs off the ball

 

Cons:

Not particularly good on the ball (at the elite level)

Not a great passer

Not a great finisher

Not a great hold up player (if playing central)

Very inconsistent 

Doesn't seem to turn up away from home

Lazy when tracking back

Seems to play for himself on occasion 

Has a somewhat marmite character 

 

I know you caveated the mentality bit. But I think he lost something from his game when he matured as a person and started with all that stuff. 
 

He was far better when he was an aggro twat just tearing about, arguing with everyone and just generally being a bit radge. 
 

I feel like he lost a bit of an edge when he started to change his style and actually appeared to be more fragile mentally in some ways. At least when on the pitch. 

[The College Dropout]

17 minutes ago, samptime29 said:

 

We've won a cup and had two champions league campaigns and Gordon was important to that. Come on man! This is far too negative and nitpicky.

He’s giving the other side of the coin.  Gordon was undoubtedly a good player for us.  But equally there’s been discussion for 2 years about his performances, attitude and whether he should be starting ahead of Harvey Barnes.  
 

Theres a narrative that he’s joined, developed, performed great consistently and is moving to bigger things. In reality he’s been up and down with a questionable attitude for 2 years - signing a new bumper contract in that period anyway. Been accused at times of being lazy and feigning injuries and demanding to play in his favoured position.  
 

Players have come to Newcastle, performed better, more consistently, better attitude, for worse regimes and received significantly worse send offs. 
 

Gordon has manicured his public image and career tremendously well. Honestly a lesson for young players. His agent has done his job excellently.  Players like Guehi - play it straight - get dicked around by clubs losing millions in the process.  

[Nucasol]

1 hour ago, Dr Venkman said:

Let’s compromise on miserable cunts.

[The College Dropout]

4 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

I know you caveated the mentality bit. But I think he lost something from his game when he matured as a person and started with all that stuff. 
 

He was far better when he was an aggro twat just tearing about, arguing with everyone and just generally being a bit radge. 
 

I feel like he lost a bit of an edge when he started to change his style and actually appeared to be more fragile mentally in some ways. At least when on the pitch. 

I always thought he was just a bit mentally fragile. The best players know how to maintain their zone.  Rooney was radge his whole career - that’s how he needed to be.  Kane is always cool and composed. Seemed like Gordon needed everything to be lined up right to consistently perform.  
 

A big part of that is a lack of technical ability to fall on. But that doesn’t explain why the work rate drops off. 

[Joe1984]

3 minutes ago, Nucasol said:

I'm definitely in there somewhere... 😄

[St1pe]

3 hours ago, midds said:

I stopped caring about Anthony Gordon when he stopped giving a shit about the club and started purely playing for himself. I get the fact he's ambitious and wanted to impress but I saw him go through the motions way too often only to suddenly turn it on again when he was in the spotlight. It's a team game and he decided he didn't want to be a part of that any longer and I've got no time for people like that. 

 

He's now got his move and the PR stuff from him and the club looks very polished and encourages the 'best wishes' mob. The Gordon of 2 years ago was excellent and gave a shit. The Gordon that left yesterday isn't remotely close to being the same player. He's been looking after himself for months and months, which is fair enough - I get it, but I'll certainly not be lining up to heap praise on him, he gave up on the club. I genuinely couldn't give a fuck what he goes on to do, good, bad or indifferent 

I don’t want to get into this too much because he’s gone and similar to the Howe in/Howe out phase at the end of the season people were wedded to their standpoint. But did this actually happen? 
 

His form definitely dipped like others. I’ve mentioned already I don’t think the change in position helped him. Similar to TAA who thought he was a midfielder when he should have been focused on being a better full back. 
 

Internally he has had massive support and backing. Nothing from the players, manager, club side suggested he was ever self interested on the pitch or anything other than committed. The last 3 games seemed to have been a club/managerial position. It’s certain sections of the fan base that seemed to snowball on him on the back of his interviews. “Heard turned by Liverpool” when in hindsight it was the club trying to flog him to solve PSR issues. Hes definitely arrogant and backs himself to succeed but it’s rare top players aren’t like that. 
 

I just feel he’s been given a rough ride on the back of things that lack foundation. 
 

I’m not mega sad he’s left mind as without repeating myself too much I think it’s time and it’s a good deal all round. 

[TK-421]

41 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Very true. The major difference is how thr club have handled it and they handled it a lot better this time.  
 

I actually think Isak deserved his move a lot more. He had the same contract for all 3 years and was our standout player for 2 of those years - good in the other too. 
 

Gordon never fully recovered from having his head turned but signed a bumper new deal afterwards anyway. At best couldn’t find his best form after. 

It doesn’t reflect well on him I’m sorry. Professionalism is Guehi playing for Palace with 6 months left on his contract with a City move pending, when a previous move fell at the last hurdle too. On half the money Gordon is on.  Ditto Semenyo, scored the winner for Bournemouth the day before signing for City. 
 

If Gordon was playing at his best level consistently, fully committed, training at 100% and raring to go - would Howe bench him? 
 

I will never be able to prove it. But if Gordon’s England place for the World Cup was in the balance and he needed to show something he would’ve played. I can’t respect a player that was happy to sit out numerous games at the end of a season to protect a move.  

He's gone, and the deal seems to have been amicable, and the best for all involved, but there'll always be a bit of me that thinks he got spooked by Ekitike's injury putting him out of the WC.

Gordon played at Palace the weekend before that, then he seemingly picked up the injury on the Wednesday in training (the day after Ekitikes injury against PSG in the CL), then missed the next two matches (Bournemouth H, Arsenal A), then returned as an unused sub in every remaining match.

Whether scared about missing out on the WC, or a move in the summer, it does appear that for one reason or another, he may have downed tools and/or may have half arsed any appearances if he was subbed on..

But the club may have been considering getting rid this summer anyway, so ultimately, its all worked out.... to a degree.

[duo]

1 hour ago, STM said:

Gordon:

 

Cons:

Not particularly good on the ball (at the elite level)

Not a great passer

Not a great finisher

Very inconsistent 

23/24 season he got 11 goals and 16 assists in the league so he's shown he can do it when he wants

 

 

Edited Saturday at 12:01 by duo

[Lenny]

7 minutes ago, duo said:

23/24 season he got 11 goals and 16 assists in the league so he's shown he can do it when he wants

 

 

 

10 assists, 11 goals. Still impressive but 16 league assists is KDB, Bruno F, Salah tier.

[samptime29]

1 hour ago, The College Dropout said:

He’s giving the other side of the coin.  Gordon was undoubtedly a good player for us.  But equally there’s been discussion for 2 years about his performances, attitude and whether he should be starting ahead of Harvey Barnes.  
 

Theres a narrative that he’s joined, developed, performed great consistently and is moving to bigger things. In reality he’s been up and down with a questionable attitude for 2 years - signing a new bumper contract in that period anyway. Been accused at times of being lazy and feigning injuries and demanding to play in his favoured position.  
 

Players have come to Newcastle, performed better, more consistently, better attitude, for worse regimes and received significantly worse send offs. 
 

Gordon has manicured his public image and career tremendously well. Honestly a lesson for young players. His agent has done his job excellently.  Players like Guehi - play it straight - get dicked around by clubs losing millions in the process.  

 

You're being overly negative about the situation.

[The Larch]

1 hour ago, The College Dropout said:

Very true. The major difference is how thr club have handled it and they handled it a lot better this time.  
 

I actually think Isak deserved his move a lot more. He had the same contract for all 3 years and was our standout player for 2 of those years - good in the other too. 
 

Gordon never fully recovered from having his head turned but signed a bumper new deal afterwards anyway. At best couldn’t find his best form after. 

It doesn’t reflect well on him I’m sorry. Professionalism is Guehi playing for Palace with 6 months left on his contract with a City move pending, when a previous move fell at the last hurdle too. On half the money Gordon is on.  Ditto Semenyo, scored the winner for Bournemouth the day before signing for City. 
 

If Gordon was playing at his best level consistently, fully committed, training at 100% and raring to go - would Howe bench him? 
 

I will never be able to prove it. But if Gordon’s England place for the World Cup was in the balance and he needed to show something he would’ve played. I can’t respect a player that was happy to sit out numerous games at the end of a season to protect a move.  

100% this

[midds]

38 minutes ago, St1pe said:

I don’t want to get into this too much because he’s gone and similar to the Howe in/Howe out phase at the end of the season people were wedded to their standpoint. But did this actually happen? 
 

His form definitely dipped like others. I’ve mentioned already I don’t think the change in position helped him. Similar to TAA who thought he was a midfielder when he should have been focused on being a better full back. 
 

Internally he has had massive support and backing. Nothing from the players, manager, club side suggested he was ever self interested on the pitch or anything other than committed. The last 3 games seemed to have been a club/managerial position. It’s certain sections of the fan base that seemed to snowball on him on the back of his interviews. “Heard turned by Liverpool” when in hindsight it was the club trying to flog him to solve PSR issues. Hes definitely arrogant and backs himself to succeed but it’s rare top players aren’t like that. 
 

I just feel he’s been given a rough ride on the back of things that lack foundation. 
 

I’m not mega sad he’s left mind as without repeating myself too much I think it’s time and it’s a good deal all round. 

Well I think it happened, yeah

 

I mean it's impossible to come up with metrics for commitment and personal investment into the club, they're intangibles but I think it's fair to say that lots of people noticed the same things at the same time - maybe all those people were wrong and Gordon was giving his all in every game but that doesn't marry with what I was watching. I think a few things probably nudged him towards checking out - the ridiculous red vs Brighton that put him out of the LC Final thus missing out on a huge day/opportunity. The revenge red against v Dijk that put us under huge pressure early on this season seemed massively personal to him at the direct cost to the team overall. Qarabag away where he filled his boots personally but pissed off his own mates in the process. Being potentially touted around in the summer window(s) maybe? Probably a few more too

 

Anyway he's gone, he's history and personally won't miss him and I'm absolutely fine with anyone not sharing this sentiment tbh 

[Andy]

3 minutes ago, samptime29 said:

 

You're being overly negative about the situation.

 

Don't really get this perspective like. There's not much else going on to talk about and dissecting Gordon's career here and the reception to him leaving is a natural point of discussion. 

[The College Dropout]

4 minutes ago, samptime29 said:

 

You're being overly negative about the situation.

I’m not being overly negative. 
 

Gordon was a good player for us and I’m happy he’s got a good move and we’ve sorted this out early and secured a good fee.  
 

But I don’t think he gave us his all enough over 3.5 years.  He was highly indulged by the club and Howe and I don’t think he deserved it.   I don’t hold him in as high regard as Cabaye, Ba or Isak simply because he wasn’t as good for us. 

[Jack14Bojangles]

I am glad that Gordon—whom I only watched this season—went to Barca.

I like Bayern, they have a very cohesive team. I found Gordon to be a very selfish player. He could have done a lot of damage to the team dynamic with his personality. Let him seek his fortune at Barca. However, I doubt he will manage to establish himself there.

[The Larch]

The fact is he didnt play any part in the last several games of the season for us. It can be argued whether that was down to gordon or the club, but to me, all the evidence points to it being down to gordon.

 

When a player effectively downs tools and disrespects the club like that, they dont deserve any respect themselves.

[The College Dropout]

3 minutes ago, Andy said:

 

Don't really get this perspective like. There's not much else going on to talk about and dissecting Gordon's career here and the reception to him leaving is a natural point of discussion. 

Aye. It’s also making me reflect more on the Isak saga. and wider player, fan, club relationships. 
 

 Isak was a better player for us - consistently but was treated worse by the club. 
 

and I know one thing has informed the other but it’s left a bad taste. 
 

and yet I’m still happy for Gordon.  As difficult as I think he’ll be to replace - I still don’t think he’s that good.