Eddie Howe has praised his Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon, yet his words should be slightly concerning for supporters.
Newcastle United are back in Premier League action following the October international break on Saturday and a tough trip to Brighton awaits.
Eddie Howe’s side have failed to win in their last five meetings with Brighton, and Newcastle haven’t won at the Amex since 2017.
Thankfully, Newcastle have been boosted by the return of Jacob Ramsey, while none of their top stars suffered injuries while away playing for their country.
Instead, other than Anthony Elanga’s struggles for Sweden, Newcastle’s jet-setting internationals largely had an enjoyable time.
Nick Woltemade scored his first Germany goal, hitting back at criticism from the press, and Bruno Guimaraes continued his fine form with two amazing assists for Brazil.
However, Anthony Gordon had the brightest break of all, shining in England’s wins over Wales and Latvia.
Gordon scored a stunning goal in Riga as England became the first European country to qualify for the World Cup with a 5-0 win.
Howe has moved to praise Gordon for his performances for club and country.
What Eddie Howe has said about Anthony Gordon’s season
Howe’s press conference ahead of Brighton had injury updates on several players, while also touching on topics like Sam Fender’s Mercury Prize win and Joe Willock getting ‘lost in York Maze.’
The manager also moved to praise Gordon’s form in the opening stages of the season.
He said: “The international games are interesting because players come back in different moods.
“Anthony Gordon’s goal and performances were really good and it was good to see Bruno continue his form for his country too.
“He [Gordon] has had a good start to the season if you take away the red card and the three-game ban.
“He started the season in the centre forward role and did well. His performances have been good, and he carried that form into England and did really well.”
While it’s great to see a manager praise his player, Howe’s verdict on how Gordon played up front is worrying.
Anthony Gordon cannot play up front for Newcastle United
With Alexander Isak refusing to play and William Osula not trusted to start, Howe was hamstrung in the opening games of the season. He didn’t really have a striker.
Woltemade would soon arrive to solve the problem but not until after the opening three games.
That left Howe with little choice but to play Gordon up front. It’s a position he has been strong-armed into playing before, and one he has never looked comfortable in.
Gordon thrives with having space on the left flank to flow with his blistering pace, loving the way he can keep an opposing full-back guessing. Will he go out wide or will he cut in and shoot? That’s exactly how he scored for the Three Lions.
The Liverpudlian’s skills are tailor-made for the flanks but become ineffective when he’s asked to lead the line. Space is minimised, his back is to goal and he’s up against more physically imposing defenders.
His game is completely disrupted and he offers no presence up front as a result.
In the opening game against Aston Villa, the wingers delivered crosses, but Gordon was never in the right place to meet them. It ended goalless and he had no effect in the position against Liverpool before he was sent off.
Understandably, Howe has played Gordon up front when he’s had to, and he isn’t going to criticise his player in public in such a way.
But Gordon has not played well up front for Newcastle. Only two of his 25 goals for the club have come from the position but, even then, he isn’t the focal point needed for the role.
If Howe genuinely thinks he can play well as a striker, then that is troubling.
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