Roy Keane (left) and Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon.placeholder image
Roy Keane (left) and Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon. | Getty Images
Anthony Gordon had to settle for a place on the bench as Newcastle United drew 1-1 with Barcelona.
Roy Keane has questioned how Anthony Gordon played almost half an hour against Barcelona despite being ill.
The big news ahead of Newcastle United’s clash with the Catalans was Gordon’s omission from the starting line-up. Eddie Howe has preferred the 25-year-old as a No.9 to Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa in recent weeks.
Both natural strikers were also snubbed, with Will Osula given the nod up front. It soon became clear that Gordon was ill and had to settle for a place on the bench.
The Overlap team debate Anthony Gordon illness
Speaking on The Overlap, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney, who worked as a pundit for Newcastle vs Barcelona, provided background to the situation. He said: “Osula started, he did well actually. He caused Barca problems running in behind.
“It was just, once he got in there, he couldn’t sort his feet out and there was a lack of quality. Anthony Gordon was ill and came on for half an hour. That’s worrying for the other two lads (Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa).”
Former Red Devils teammate Keane interjected to criticise Gordon. He said: “How can you be ill and come on for half an hour? It’s bizarre, isn't it?”
When Gary Neville defended Gordon, Keane added: “Oh Gary, because you did an interview with him last year and you thought he was a really nice lad! How can you be ill, but come on for half an hour?
“You hear managers every week say ‘He’s not fit enough to start, but he’ll be good enough for the bench’. Something might happen after five minutes. I don’t get it. If he’s that important, start him and take him off after half an hour.”
Rooney was also left slightly confused by the situation. He finished: “We had this debate yesterday. Eddie Howe said before the game that he probably has 20 or 30 minutes in him. That’s telling you the sports scientists and the doctors are (suggesting he can play). If you’re ill, you’re ill.
“You shouldn’t be there. He walked past us before the game and wouldn’t shake our hands. He said he didn’t want us to catch anything, but then he’s going into the dressing room with his teammates.”
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Eddie Howe explains No.9 situation
“I think with Anthony that (his illness) was this morning,” Howe said. “We trained this morning and Ant didn't make it, so that's a pretty good sign that he's not in a great physical or his best physical condition.
“Doctors and everyone did a great job to get him at the start line for us, albeit for a short period of time. I thought he made a good contribution when he came on.
“So it meant an opportunity for Will. I think his profile and his qualities were good for this game. That's why we selected him. His legs, his pace, he's a willing runner against their high defensive line. I thought that was the right choice.
On Woltemade and Wissa being snubbed, Howe added: “It's always a tough decision not to play players that I love, but that's part of being a manager and having to pick the team to do what is best for the group.”
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