Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United leaves the pitch after being shown a red card
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United leaves the pitch after being shown a red card
Newcastle United are preparing for one of the biggest games of their campaign so, as you'd expect, the pre-match chatter has naturally concerned the future of one of Eddie Howe's most senior and talented stars. Anthony Gordon's performance at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday was one to forget but the reaction since, safe to say, has been a touch over the top.
In recent days, there has been overblown talk of the winger absolutely, categorically needing to be dropped for this weekend's final showdown with Everton, while some have rejoiced at speculation that some of Newcastle's rivals - namely Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea - have been credited with interest in his services.
This is nothing new. In the modern game, recency bias rules the day. Social media is awash with armchair pundits and the pressure is subsequently overblown on stars at the top of their game.
Similar calls were made regarding Harvey Barnes earlier in the campaign, with sections of the Newcastle fan base openly admitting they would take £40m - the same amount Newcastle paid Leicester City for his services - to see him leave this summer. Even as recently as last week, when Sven Botman appeared to have picked up a fresh knee problem, there were some suggestions it was time to cash in on the Dutchman... Baffling.
Gordon is not blameless. He is badly out of form and would likely be the first to admit he is not producing nearly enough in black and white at present. His last Premier League goal came back in January and he has rightly been behind a rejuvenated Barnes in the pecking order of late.
However, context is needed. Gordon has been dealt unfortunate injury blows during this time and has struggled to overcome a nasty knock he received during his last international jaunt with England.
There was also his moment of madness which paved the way for Barnes to nail down a starting spot in and around the Carabao Cup final. Gordon has since been restricted to cameo appearances - until Howe opted to change Newcastle's system - and has struggled to find consistency or momentum towards the business end of the season.
Gordon has work to do to regain his starting spot on the left - but his form likely won't improve with sniping from the sidelines. Those with short memories will have forgotten his contribution in both semi-final clashes with Arsenal earlier this year and his purple patch - which included 10 Premier League goal involvements - between early November and late January.
On his day, Gordon is United's best left-sided attacker and one of Howe's strongest outlets in the final third. The few who have jumped the gun to suggest his time on Tyneside could be done would do well to remember that.
“You think of the international stage and the games that he's had with us," Howe said of Gordon last week. "So despite him being quite young still in his career, he's still going through some important years in his development. I think he's got that strength of character to know when he needs to deliver.”
Gordon needs to show that character to end the campaign on a high. Should he be afforded the opportunity this weekend, given what is at stake and who the opponents are, you wouldn't bet him finishing the season with a flourish to silence any doubters.
The wide man has been provided the additional motivation to fire against Everton. For Newcastle's sake, let's hope he takes his chance to end the term on a high.