It wasn’t too long ago that Anthony Gordon sent tongues wagging after his reaction to being substituted at Brentford, but the Newcastle United man seems to have learned from his mistakes.
Just a few weeks ago, Anthony Gordon made a scene when he was subbed off in second-half stoppage time against Brentford as Eddie Howe tried to run out the clock. Gordon, himself a substitute in that game, was visibly upset at being hooked and even shrugged off Eddie Howe who was trying to comfort him.
That reaction got a lot of people talking with some pundits even calling for Newcastle to send him to train with the reserves and even sell him in the summer. A bit of an overreaction to a bit of genuine emotion.
Anthony Gordon’s reaction to being substituted yesterday was spot on
However, yesterday against Southampton, Anthony Gordon was brought off at half-time by Howe as he rejigged the side to try and get his team to overcome their losing position. It worked. But many people were wondering how Gordon would react to being sacrificed again. The Chronicle reported a huge change in Gordon’s attitude.
It turns out they need not have worried as Howe told reporters after the game (via The Chronicle): “His reaction to being taken off was very good – if there can be a very good reaction to it.
“Obviously, internally, I suspect, he was very disappointed, but he didn’t let that show. There was no outward sign of a negative reaction to that, which you need in that situation.
“I think there’s an understanding now with five substitutes. I will continue to act early, but it’s not always a reflection of the performance of the player.”
With the game wrapped up and Howe’s tactical masterclass bearing fruit, Anthony Gordon joined his teammates on the pitch for the victory lap. The Chronicle noted: “That team-first mentality has been at the heart of Newcastle’s rise this season and this felt like the latest example of it as Newcastle edged ever closer to realising their Champions League dream.”
Next season will be when we see what Anthony Gordon is truly like
It definitely looks like Gordon is buying into that mentality already which is great to see, especially after so many questioned his attitude. He’s still a work-in-progress, and I think both Howe and Gordon would admit that, but there’s nobody better than Howe to manage someone like Gordon in my humble opinion.
I’m personally not judging Gordon on this season. It’s always hard coming into a side in January, especially one that’s doing so well. Also, Gordon didn’t exactly arrive at Newcastle in the best frame of mind given all that had gone on with Everton, so I think giving him this campaign to get his feet under the table is fine.
With a full pre-season behind him, Gordon will be transformed next season.
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