Newcastle United could do with clicking into gear soon.
While its important not to be too critical of Newcastle’s start to the season, surely few would doubt that Eddie Howe’s side are not playing particularly well right now.
Clearly, there’s something to be said about the character Howe’s side have shown thus far. After a difficult summer transfer window, they’ve had to dig deep in all three of their Premier League games thus far to remain unbeaten.
That is certainly not to be sniffed at.
Still, such is the quality in the Premier League, Newcastle are likely to be punished if they do not step things up reasonably soon.
Crucial to that is Anthony Gordon. While the winger is still creating chances and scored against Bournemouth, Howe has admitted that the £40m star is not yet up to full fitness.
Given his importance to the cause, it feels reasonable to assume that Gordon getting up to speed significantly improves Newcastle’s chances of making a marked improvement in their performances.
Gordon was hailed as “dangerous” by interim England manager Lee Carsley for his outing in the Nations League win over the Republic of Ireland and Howe believes playing for the Three Lions will have helped Gordon’s fitness.
Eddie Howe shares latest Anthony Gordon injury news
Speaking ahead of the trip to Wolves on Sunday, Howe told a press conference (via YouTube): “Firstly, I think he’s in a great place after the two England games. I thought he performed really well.
“I was watching, totally biased towards him, hoping he had really good games and impacted and I know he’s very proud to play for his country, so I know that those two games would have meant a lot to him.
“The trust given to him by the manager was great to see. I think he’ll come back in a great place and I think he probably needed the games to build his fitness levels up again. It was a very difficult summer for him, where he finished the tournament with England and had very minimal training before he’s come back to us.
“So I hope we see a much fitter Anthony in the coming games.”
Anthony Gordon has a point to prove this season
While Gordon does not need to prove much to Newcastle fans, starring again this season would certainly stick it to former England boss Gareth Southgate.
Southgate was said to have been annoyed by Gordon falling off his bike while using his mobile phone in training at Euro 2024, as well as at some of his comments about England’s brand of football at the tournament.
While it’s impossible to say that they are the reasons Gordon barely featured, it certainly provides context.
Showing Southgate what he was missing feels important. The World Cup is less than two years away and Gordon could now go onto establish himself as an England star ahead of it.
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