Anthony Gordon (now playing for FC Barcelona)

[midds]

Thought he played well today, could have even got a couple more with better finishing but can't grumble. 

 

What I didn't like was the 1,2,3,4 thing he did after the 4th, seems like he's only interested in his own stats rather than anything else? I get the fact he's trying to answer a few critics but it only emphasises the fact he's focusing at his own individual performances and stats and not even thinking about the team he's playing for. I've had this nagging doubt for months now about him - he's solely looking after himself and couldn't give a fuck about NUFC. The 2 parties are linked, for now, but he's still playing for the name on the back rather than the badge on the front. He's playing for himself and has been for months 

[John P]

He's got all the attributes to be our version of Ollie Watkins, he just needs to learn the position a bit more and we need to play to his strengths in that position. There's been signs recently that both of those things are happening compared to earlier in the season/last season where he just looked a bit lost playing centrally

[SteV]

3 minutes ago, midds said:

he's solely looking after himself and couldn't give a fuck about NUFC. The 2 parties are linked, for now, but he's still playing for the name on the back rather than the badge on the front. He's playing for himself and has been for months 

What evidence is there of that, other than just your ‘feeling’?

[midds]

Just now, SteV said:

What evidence is there of that, other than just your ‘feeling’?

Just my feeling. It's what I think based on what I'm seeing tbh

[SteV]

2 minutes ago, midds said:

Just my feeling. It's what I think based on what I'm seeing tbh

I disagree, but fair enough.

[Beren]

1 hour ago, alexf said:

Forgetting the level of opponent for a moment but Gordon looked electric tonight and has looked really improved as a striker compared to earlier in he season.

 

Finished his chances fantastically, however still could have done better with one or two but so could others. Barnes should have had 3 himself if he'd been abit sharper tonight. 

 

Loved his first goal in particular as that was exactly what you would want from him as a forward. Use his pace to run in behind and then bury his shot low and hard into the corner. 

 

Pace is such an asset when used well. I was his biggest critic when he was contributing little from the left and seemed like he was half arseing at times and stopping Barnes from playing on he left. 

 

But I'll be the first to say that he's been really good for awhile now and in particular the CL games he seems to excel.

 

Totally back him taking that 2nd pen aswell. He's our designated taker, he won the pen himself and is more than entitled to demand it. 

 

Think he's good with the ball into feet against a slightly high line, or in a stretched basketball game. Wouldn't be massively confident in him turning in a squared ball into the box coming in at pace. 

 

Great game today. Full of running outside of his goals too. 

[Heron]

Probably should have had six tonight but an excellent performance nonetheless. His acceleration really caused them issues. Great penalty taker and seems to be finding a bit more form centrally at present. Fair play.

 

Good to see a bit more joy around him presently too. Looks less laboured. Not convinced he is a CF like.

 

 

Edited February 18 by Heron

[TaylorJ_01]

Penaltony Gordon stat-padding against dross.

 

Joking, a bit. 

[PauloGeordio]

 

[Lotus]

If he hit his shots from open play like he does his pens he’ll score a bucketful.

[Miercoles]

I'm sure he would if he got a sitter unmarked 12 yards from goal like

[Lotus]

Just now, Miercoles said:

I'm sure he would if he got a sitter unmarked 12 yards from goal like

I’d bet a wage he’d scuff it.

[alexf]

Was gonna say, when everything is moving fast in real action and not penalties, he has been rushing and scuffing shots all season. However that Liverpool away game was hopefully the turning point because he scored a really nice goal and he's starting to flourish. 

I don't disagree with what he said there in the clip above. As a team we were playing alright at the start of the season but he couldn't finish anything to save his life. Now he is starting to score goals and all the extra stuff that gives (his pace, his closing down, his running the channels) all has more weight. However he needs to keep it going now until the end of the season and prove he belongs there permanently. Because even tonight there were a few chances he had at 1 or 2 nil that he really should be burying and you might only get those chances in games against the better teams. 

For example, if he had buried his chance instead of missing the ball entirely in that Barca home game, I think there is a good chance we would have gone on to win that game. So small margins but no doubting he looked electric tonight and the signs are promising. 

[alexf]

Just to add on. It reminds me a little bit of Kieron Dyer. There were times he played upfront just off Shearer and with his pace he looked frightening at times. Anyone remember Southampton away in the cup in like 2003? 
But he never truely belonged there and would often eventually get shifted back to his normal midfield role. 

Hopefully that isn't the case and Gordon can keep developing his finishing and morph into a really effective striker. 

[TheBrownBottle]

34 minutes ago, alexf said:

Just to add on. It reminds me a little bit of Kieron Dyer. There were times he played upfront just off Shearer and with his pace he looked frightening at times. Anyone remember Southampton away in the cup in like 2003? 
But he never truely belonged there and would often eventually get shifted back to his normal midfield role. 

Hopefully that isn't the case and Gordon can keep developing his finishing and morph into a really effective striker. 

Dyer could play multiple positions (even if spitting his dummy out after being asked to do so probably was the final nail in Robson’s coffin), but ultimately played most of the time in his best position - which was what our granddads would have called an inside-forward.  Gordon is lacking in a striker’s instincts and could only ever be a stop-gap. 

[Stottie]

I agree with his interview in that a big issue with him playing striker earlier in the season was him not finishing chances. He missed some real sitters including extreme ones where he seemed to trip over and not contact a ball crossed to him.

 

With space in front of him or him playing off the shoulder, he's very dangerous. Jamie Vardy didn't really emerge as a finisher till he was 26/27, so there is time for Gordon to improve. He has many of Vardy's other talents.

[Disco]

Not having the responsibility as the only player in our first XI we have (bar Hall if he’s forward) that can take someone on or out of the game with a movement seems to have benefited him loads. Even moreso as he’s not particularly consistent at it.

 

Finishing is erratic as fuck as expected especially when he’s got any amount of time to think but I do like the cut of his gib up top with Big Dick Nick in behind. 
 

I know he’s eminently sellable but it’d be mad IMO, particularly RE point 1.

[Mountain]

1 hour ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Dyer could play multiple positions (even if spitting his dummy out after being asked to do so probably was the final nail in Robson’s coffin), but ultimately played most of the time in his best position - which was what our granddads would have called an inside-forward.  Gordon is lacking in a striker’s instincts and could only ever be a stop-gap. 

 

Dyer- 190 appearances, 23 goals

 

Gordon - 105 appearances, 21 goals

 

 

[KaKa]

3 hours ago, PauloGeordio said:

 

 

Someone is going to put down a lot of money for this guy this summer and there's likely a good chance he moves on before he's really fully figured it all out, which will then end up happening elsewhere and it will be such a terrible look.

 

Seems he really wants more opportunities to develop further as a forward. Well worth exploring that the remainder of the season now to see how that goes, especially as it seems to be going well currently, and he's showing improvements there.

 

Just remembered he was playing up top for England under 21s when they won one of the Euro tournaments I think it was, and he was player of the tournament was it?! Perhaps he got a real taste for it then.

 

[PauloGeordio]

Just now, KaKa said:

 

Someone is going to put down a lot of money for this guy this summer and there's likely a good chance he moves on before he's really fully figured it all out, which will then end up happening elsewhere and it will be such a terrible look.

 

Seems he really wants more opportunities to develop further as a forward. Well worth exploring that the remainder of the season now to see how that goes, especially as it seems to be going well currently, and he's showing improvements there.

 

Just remembered he was playing up top for England under 21s when they won one of the Euro tournaments I think it was, and he was player of the tournament was it?! Perhaps he got a real taste for it then.

 

Hopefully he stays and develops with us. Him as striker is also helping with Big Wolte playing deep and we're getting the best out of a more fluid attack with 2 quick wingers either side.

[TheBrownBottle]

1 hour ago, Mountain said:

 

Dyer- 190 appearances, 23 goals

 

Gordon - 105 appearances, 21 goals

 

 

Very different players who played in very different formations and in very different positions.  As a footballer, I’d say Dyer was more talented.  Gordon (despite his irritating high performance claptrap) is a far better professional.  If Dyer had Gordon’s professionalism he’d be talked about in a very different way today - when he went on holiday to Ayia Napa with Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand to make complete arses of themselves, he was very much the ‘star’ of the three - and definitely seen as the better young midfielder between him and Lampard.  

[Mountain]

2 minutes ago, TheBrownBottle said:

Very different players who played in very different formations and in very different positions.  As a footballer, I’d say Dyer was more talented.  Gordon (despite his irritating high performance claptrap) is a far better professional.  If Dyer had Gordon’s professionalism he’d be talked about in a very different way today - when he went on holiday to Ayia Napa with Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand to make complete arses of themselves, he was very much the ‘star’ of the three - and definitely seen as the better young midfielder between him and Lampard.  

 

I don't disagree, my only counter argument is that I think Kieron Dyer is ugly.

[Kanj]

AG is an interesting guy. Can’t put my finger on him. His pace, press and movement are out of this world. I’ll take that. 

[Holloway]

Just needs to continue the hard work on his finishing and he could become a  very useful striker. He may lack the poacher instinct but he's still learning the position and his runs are improving ,he's always looking to get in behind. I think Vardy is a good comparison in that respect,and of course when you're able to lead the press from the front like that it's a big bonus for our set up.

 

 

Edited February 19 by Holloway

[toontownman]

2 hours ago, KaKa said:

 

Someone is going to put down a lot of money for this guy this summer and there's likely a good chance he moves on before he's really fully figured it all out, which will then end up happening elsewhere and it will be such a terrible look.

 

Seems he really wants more opportunities to develop further as a forward. Well worth exploring that the remainder of the season now to see how that goes, especially as it seems to be going well currently, and he's showing improvements there.

 

Just remembered he was playing up top for England under 21s when they won one of the Euro tournaments I think it was, and he was player of the tournament was it?! Perhaps he got a real taste for it then.

 

He will go to Liverpool. They are still sniffing.