Anthony Gordon has defended Newcastle United's overall performance at Crystal Palace - insisting shots on target are not a measuring stick for success.
Gordon was on hand to fire a shot off Marc Guehi early in the second half and Newcastle came within a whisker of what would have been a creditable away win. However, the post-game narrative was all about shots on target - or in United's case a lack of them!
Gordon told reporters: "For me, the older you get and the more games you play, it really doesn’t matter how attacking you are, to be honest.
"Palace away from home, one-nil up and we were defending well and seemed a threat on the counter attack...that, for me, is a good away performance. Especially, if we end up winning 1-0. But ultimately we don’t - and that’s the bit that’s not good enough."
Gordon was used as an emergency striker and could get the shout to do so again when Liverpool come to St James' Park on Wednesday night. With Alexander Isak going off with a bang to the hip, Gordon was restored to the position he was used in during the Sweden striker's toe injury.
Gordon said: "Losing him certainly didn’t help us because he’s our focal point, our main number nine. As for me, I have played in so many different positions now that I sort of know what I’m doing in each one.
"It’s not easy but I’m well-adapted and well informed by the manager of the details of all the positions. I felt I was a real threat up front, from pressing really well - and we got the goal but just couldn’t finish it off.”
Newcastle have not been able to get going this season and as many fans have put it, they are consistently inconsistent, hence their mid-table position.
The Scouser added: "It’s weird, really, because at the start of this season we weren’t playing well but were winning. But now we’re playing really well and not winning. Hopefully, it balances out - and we can start playing well and winning."