Anthony Gordon (now playing for FC Barcelona)

[Lush Vlad]

8 minutes ago, St1pe said:

Barnes has disappeared in the last two games after a good run like he so often seems to do. 
 

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Gordon back in against Burnley. 

Has he? Nonsense IMO.

 

Unlucky not to score against Everton and even watching the highlights back. You notice how involved he is in everything. A lot more in the game than perhaps he usually is.
 

Even last night, frustrating decision making at times aside. He got in on goal again when he glided past Romero and was regularly causing problems. He cut it back when it deflected to Miley who maybe should have done better. He was lively, I thought. Caused Porro plenty of issues. Although the crossing from wide areas and set pieces, was mainly poor all night. 
 

In his time here. It has felt like if Barnes doesn’t score or assist. Then what is he actually bringing to the side. But I don’t think that is true of his last two games at all. 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by Lush Vlad

[Sibierski]

28 minutes ago, Lush Vlad said:

Murphy was atrocious last night and Elanga is hardly getting a run of games or staking a claim for a regular starting spot. 
 

I know Howe does seem to see it as those two as the options for the right. Barnes and Gordon on the left. But I just don’t see how starting our two best wide men could be much worse than the inconsistent slop we are serving up from wide areas most weeks. 
 

They could even interchange at times and be a bit more fluid in the front 3 when Wissa returns. But that has never really been Howe’s style since being here. Guessing it is to do with the patterns of play and partnerships he wants across the pitch. 

For me it’s more it then loses the ability to change it up on LW for fresh legs / different approach. If both are having a meh game, then only one can come off unless we are going to play Ramsey LW. 
 

I’m not sold on Elanga right now, but at some point over this period Howe has to pick him and run with him for 3-4 starts like he’s done plenty of times with Gordon and see if he clicks into something because the approach right now isn’t good for him or us.

[Kid Icarus]

15 minutes ago, St1pe said:

Barnes has disappeared in the last two games after a good run like he so often seems to do. 
 

Wouldn’t be surprised to see Gordon back in against Burnley. 

Barnes was by far and away our best attacking player last night and was very good against Everton. Really not sure how you've come to that conclusion about him.

 

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by Kid Icarus

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Barnes was very good. 

[The Butcher]

Just me, or does he look at bit faster, a bit more explosive now compared to last season?

 

[St1pe]

He’s not involved enough aside from those big moments and when he’s not scoring just seems to drift for me. 
 

Although I only caught phases of the game last night though so happy to be wrong about it. 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by St1pe

[Abacus]

I think all our wide men will benefit from having a more traditional striker in Wissa to aim for, or to be poaching in the box when they cut inside and they will all show better form.

 

Not a criticism of Woltemade, he's been excellent, it's just that e.g. Murphy's strengths, like crossing often don't reach anyone and the ball comes straight back when we're ahead. Interesting to see who links up best with Wissa.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

TBH I would've thought all our wide men apart from Murphy are more like wide forwards than traditional assisters, so they would work better with Woltemade setting them up than just trying to create chances for others. You want both of course. 

[Kanj]

Thought he was brilliant last night. 

[SteV]

Thoughts on his penalty?
 

Do we think he ‘sent the keeper the wrong way’? Looked to me like he was always going that side, and if the keeper guesses right he saves it. 
 

Not convinced by him as our main taker tbh, but then I was never convinced with Wilson taking them, and I don’t recall him ever missing for us, so…

 

Also just a bit concerned that his relationship with the fanbase feels a bit fragile at the moment, and missing a crucial pen could do more harm to him than scoring a crucial one would do good for him.

[AyeDubbleYoo]

Always hard to tell if he sent the keeper or the keeper just guessed wrong. As you say, it wasn't anywhere near the corner so I suppose you have to assume the former. 

 

I was really worried about the reaction if he'd missed. 

 

 

Edited December 3, 2025 by AyeDubbleYoo

[et tu brute]

His penalties have all been very well taken, apart from the Everton one where he totally bottled it. 

[Colos Short and Curlies]

I wonder if bringing Gordon and Wissa narrower in a front 3 that sees Wolte dropping off and springing a little trap of pace could get the best of both him and big Nick.

 

I really want W&W in the same team and can't see how we do it with wingers

 

[JP]

When do we lose him to Vegas?

 

[madras]

23 minutes ago, JP said:

When do we lose him to Vegas?

 

 

The one time I dont go to the concourse at HT.

[JP]

12 minutes ago, madras said:

 

The one time I dont go to the concourse at HT.

 

Was outrageous that tbh 

[gbandit]

1 hour ago, SteV said:

Thoughts on his penalty?
 

Do we think he ‘sent the keeper the wrong way’? Looked to me like he was always going that side, and if the keeper guesses right he saves it. 
 

Not convinced by him as our main taker tbh, but then I was never convinced with Wilson taking them, and I don’t recall him ever missing for us, so…

 

Also just a bit concerned that his relationship with the fanbase feels a bit fragile at the moment, and missing a crucial pen could do more harm to him than scoring a crucial one would do good for him.

I really didn’t want him to take it, delighted he scored though. Was a poor penalty in my opinion. It probably reduces from an 80% chance to score to 50% or less when you hit it just to the left or right of the keeper at that height. If the keeper goes the right way it’s very hard for them to not save it. I don’t think Gordon gave the eyes and waited for a trigger movement from Vicario. Haven’t rewatched it properly though 

[Kanj]

2 hours ago, Kanj said:

Thought he was brilliant last night. 

 

i thought this was the barnes thread, fuck sake. 

 

Gordon was good as a cameo, he contributed well. Still would sell mind you.  

[Lush Vlad]

3 hours ago, gbandit said:

I really didn’t want him to take it, delighted he scored though. Was a poor penalty in my opinion. It probably reduces from an 80% chance to score to 50% or less when you hit it just to the left or right of the keeper at that height. If the keeper goes the right way it’s very hard for them to not save it. I don’t think Gordon gave the eyes and waited for a trigger movement from Vicario. Haven’t rewatched it properly though 

This. He scored so it’s kind of irrelevant. But his technique is weird. Doesn’t usually blast it, often isn’t right in the corner and he doesn’t watch the keeper. So I feel it is a bit dependent on the keeper just guessing the wrong way. 
 

His penalty record isn’t actually that bad for us as it? The Everton one was nailed on to miss and he never should have taken that. 

[Ronson333]

I wonder how annoyed he is with Slot’s comments about Murphy, given he’s reportedly been twerking for a move there & pretending he’s besties with the rat 

 

 

Edited December 6, 2025 by Ronson333

[SUPERTOON]

Needs a performance today 

[toon25]

Aye, please don't be absolutely shit Ant

[RUHRLYASLEEVESUP]

We say this every 2nd week & the tit keeps on reverting to being absolute horse shit 

[Ronson333]

He shouldn’t be starting, Barnes had many weeks on the bench despite playing well 

[ExiledGeordie]

Just now, Ronson333 said:

He shouldn’t be starting, Barnes had many weeks on the bench despite playing well 

Barnes will start the next two games