Anthony Gordon netted in Newcastle's 3-3 draw with Liverpool at St James' Park
The England star has faced criticism for his performances for Magpies this season
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By CRAIG HOPE
Published: 06:52 EST, 6 December 2024 | Updated: 06:52 EST, 6 December 2024
Eddie Howe says he will be more than happy to see Anthony Gordon repeat his ‘blah, blah, blah’ celebration, after the Newcastle winger appeared to hit back at recent coverage of his form.
Mail Sport and others examined Gordon’s fluctuating performances ahead of Wednesday’s visit of Liverpool - the club he could have joined in the summer - and he responded with a goal and electric display in a 3-3 draw.
‘I’ll be really pleased if he keeps doing that celebration, as it means he is scoring lots of goals,’ said Howe. ‘But it (coverage) goes with the territory. When you’re performing well in the Premier League, you’re going to be talked about positively, and you’re going to be talked about negatively (if you’re not).
‘Dealing with that, taking some stuff in and taking the majority away from your head is key. Ultimately, if you’re enjoying your football, that is when they are at their best levels.’
But the head coach has also warned his players that only their attitude will change the inconsistency which has plagued them this season, collectively and individually.
‘The better players in the league are the better players because they repeatedly do it,’ added Howe. ‘It’s easier to do it on the odd occasion here and there and show how good you are in phases.
Anthony Gordon debuted a new celebration after finding the net against Liverpool following criticism of his performances this term
The23-year-old netted his third goal of the campaign in the Magpies' thrilling 3-3 draw with the league leaders
Eddie Howe said that he would be 'really pleased' to see the forward continue to answer his critics with the celebration
‘But I have to say, last year and the year before, the players were consistent in that respect. It’s harder for the more creative players to find that consistency. Teams will try to work out plans against you to try and nullify your strengths. Attitude is everything to any team.
‘Against Liverpool you saw the correct attitude, you saw the correct mental application. We need the mental qualities to be as good as we are in terms of quality in other areas.’
Of Newcastle’s last six in the Premier League, they have won two, drawn two and lost two. It leaves them 12th in the Premier League. Their better performances continue to be against the better teams.
‘That’s been in our make-up for a while and it is a frustration, because we know what we are capable of,’ said Howe. ‘The missing ingredient is to deliver that whoever and wherever you’re playing.
‘We had that in our Champions League season and that’s why we were able to achieve what we did that year. Regardless of the opposition, it didn’t really matter, you saw the same Newcastle week in and week out. It’s not for the want of trying. I can tell you the players are committed to delivering that.’
Anthony GordonEddie Howe