Newcastle United haven’t been in particularly good form this season.
While they have impressed at times and the draw with Manchester City showed signs of Eddie Howe’s side clicking into gear at long last, not many of the club’s big players have consistently shown up yet.
Obviously, this remains an early stage of the campaign and the fact so many Newcastle players had limited summer breaks due to international tournaments cannot be ignored.
Still, it would be nice to see some of Howe’s bigger name players start to get themselves into a position where they are approaching their best.
There have certainly been flashes, with Anthony Gordon impressing during the draw with City.
Howe believes the winger is fully fit again after a difficult summer and perhaps playing for England over the international break will have helped.
However, Gordon – hailed as “very direct” by Phil Foden recently – may now see his time in the Three Lions side ended for another month at least.
Anthony Gordon now sweating over his England position
That’s because, according to the Daily Mail, Gordon is one of five players sweating on their starting berth ahead of England’s game with Finland on Sunday.
It is claimed interim manager Lee Carsley could make sweeping changes following the defeat to Greece on Thursday, with Gordon potentially dropped.
They claim Jack Grealish could come into the side, presumably on the left.
Anthony Gordon struggled for England against Greece
Gordon was of course not alone in struggling against Greece but it would be foolish to ignore the fact he did.
Alan Shearer, after all, admitted he had a “poor” game, though suggested the lack of an orthodox striker to aim for did not help Gordon or fellow winger Bukayo Saka.
Still, there is huge competition for places in the England squad, so Carsley can afford to be ruthless.
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