Newcastle United soldiered on without star striker Alexander Isak against Aston Villa yesterday.
Anthony Gordon admitted the Alexander Isak transfer saga has “tested” the Newcastle United squad following the goalless draw with Aston Villa.
The sulking Swede sat at home - just as he has done throughout pre-season - as his teammates battled hard at Villa Park. Gordon led the line up front as the Magpies struggled to break a 10-man side down.
On another day - or if they had their £150million striker turn up for work - many believe Newcastle would have won. As it happened, a point ensured a solid start to the campaign ahead of a mammoth clash with Liverpool next weekend.
Anthony Gordon on Alexander Isak saga
Speaking to TNT Sports, Gordon opened up about how the Isak saga has affected the camp. He said: "It has been difficult because we're such a tight-knit group," Gordon told TNT Sports. "We've never really had any problems publicly and that being the first thing that has happened has tested us."But you see today, we still have that spirit and that togetherness. We work on it every day. That is never going to go regardless of individuals. We're a top group, our togetherness is top and it always will be."It can do (bring the group closer together) but we're still together anyway. Things like things can sort of us test you and make you better in the end - and I think that is going to be the case."
Eddie Howe on Alexander Isak chanting
Toon fans made their voices heard as the players applauded them at full-time. On the chants directed at Isak, Eddie Howe said: “Whatever happens, I think the support has acted really well today because they supported the team. “Not everything has been plain sailing but they’ve always been with the team. And then if afterwards they want to say something, I think they’re very free to do that.”
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Dan Burn on Alexander Isak
Dan Burn also commented on the “external noise” surrounding the Isak saga. He said: “I think so. I think there's obviously a lot of external noise. We've got quite a tight-knit group, and we just get on with it.“I think we've now been about four or five weeks without Alex (Isak), so for us, he's obviously not involved at the moment. But we've got players who need to step up and contribute to the goals and we're ready to go.”
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