Eddie Howe has been laying down the law at Newcastle United.
Until the Manchester City game, his side had not been overly impressive. Newcastle United were not playing well, despite the points tally suggesting otherwise.
That boiled over at Craven Cottage, as the performance finally matched the result. Newcastle were awful against Fulham, and it culminated in a 3-1 defeat.
Alan Shearer said Newcastle lacked intensity against Fulham, and that was a big concern given how reliant the Magpies have been on their energy and pressing ability during Howe’s tenure.
Something had to change against Manchester City, and it did. Newcastle were more like themselves against Man City, and that came after Howe had some strong words with his players at the training ground.
What Eddie Howe did with Anthony Gordon before Newcastle vs Manchester City
That is according to the Daily Mail, who report that Eddie Howe gave his players some ‘home truths’ in the aftermath of that defeat to Fulham.
The Daily Mail note that Anthony Gordon was singled out, with Howe issuing some ‘strong words’ for his 23-year-old winger.
That came on the back of Gordon’s worst performance in a Newcastle shirt. He was terrible against Fulham, with Gordon criticised for his body language. He was nothing like the Gordon that Toon fans have grown to idolise, and something had to change.
The Daily Mail add that Gordon accepted that he was not good enough against Fulham, while changes to his training routine were made.
Eddie Howe’s words with Anthony Gordon worked
Howe’s behind the scenes conversation with Gordon might have been uncomfortable, but it was certainly productive.
Gordon played up front against Manchester City, and was fantastic. He won and scored the decisive penalty, as Newcastle picked up a well deserved point.
Micah Richards said Gordon was ‘relentless’ up front, starting Newcastle’s press high up as the Magpies re-found their intensity.
After a difficult period, the hope will now be that Gordon is on the up. The Liverpool transfer speculation has been and gone, while his contract situation is pretty much sorted. It has been reported that Gordon is on the brink of signing a new contract at Newcastle, as he prepares to commit his future to the Magpies.
Importantly, Gordon’s new contract does not include a release clause, which is a huge boost.
What is next for Anthony Gordon
Next up for Gordon is a return to Everton, as he prepares to face his former club. Gordon will be up front for Newcastle once again, with Alexander Isak set to miss out due to injury.
After that, Newcastle’s number 10 will report for international duty, after being included in the England squad for Nations League games against Greece and Finland.
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