Describing someone as a ‘rat’ is rarely a compliment, but Ben Foster means it in the nicest way when talking about Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon.
The former Premier League goalkeeper has showered Anthony Gordon with praise during an interview with Toon defender Dan Burn, admitting that the winger is exactly the type of player he would want in his team.
The 22-year-old is enjoying a spectacular season so far, and has been one of the Magpies’ most important players. He has six goals and six assists so far, which is an incredible tally for a player who struggled so much at the beginning of his Newcastle United career.
But now Gordon has got to grips with what it takes to succeed under Eddie Howe, and has become a fan favourite.
He combines goals and assists with relentless work off the ball, and that is why Ben Foster thinks the best way to describe him is a ‘rat’.
Ben Foster says Anthony Gordon is a ‘rat’ – in a nice way
Foster has been speaking about Gordon on ‘Fozcast – The Ben Foster Podcast’, and came up with a rather unique way to heap praise on him.
“Anthony Gordon, the best way I can describe him is a rat,” he said.
“He is a little rat, isn’t he? But I want that rat in my team because he will work forwards and he’ll work back, and he’ll smash people. He gets the crowd going.
“He’s the kind of player that Newcastle are littered with.”
Gordon has become a fan favourite at Newcastle United
Most Toon fans probably thought Gordon was a rat this time last year! He was not popular on Tyneside, and was always the subject of boos whenever he played at St James’ Park.
There were also a lot of eyebrows raised when the club splashed out £45million to sign him from Everton, but he has managed to silence the doubters.
Gordon is now a fan favourite, and it is those rat-like qualities that make him so endearing.
Foster only means it in a positive way. It is absolutely a compliment. He is referring to just how relentless Gordon is off the ball with his pressing and winning tackles. He gets in the faces of the opposition and works hard.
He’s a rat, but he’s our rat.
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