Howe Defends Gordon After Shearer and Keane Criticism Over Barcelona Absence
Following a challenging week for English clubs in European competitions, focus has swiftly shifted back to domestic football with an action-packed Premier League weekend approaching. Managers throughout the top division are scheduled to address the media today, and Daily Mail Sport provides comprehensive coverage of all the key developments and talking points.
Howe Responds to Pundit Criticism of Gordon's Champions League Role
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has issued a firm rebuttal to criticism from football legends Alan Shearer and Roy Keane regarding Anthony Gordon's absence from the starting lineup against Barcelona in the Champions League. The England international was unexpectedly named on the bench for Tuesday's crucial last-16 first leg after reporting illness, despite being anticipated to lead the attack.
Speaking on Prime Video before the match, Shearer expressed his bewilderment, stating, "Perhaps I'm old-fashioned, but if you're fit enough to train in the morning, and I acknowledge he doesn't feel well, this is Barcelona at Newcastle for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. It would require something truly extraordinary to keep me out of this game tonight."
Roy Keane subsequently added his perspective on The Overlap, questioning, "How can you be ill and still come on for thirty minutes? It's peculiar, isn't it?" When host Gary Neville defended Gordon, Keane countered, "Oh Gary, because you interviewed him last year and thought he was a lovely lad! How can you be ill yet still manage half an hour?"
Keane elaborated further, saying, "Managers frequently claim, 'He's not fit enough to start, but he'll be suitable for the bench.' Something could occur after five minutes. I don't comprehend it. If he's that crucial, start him and substitute him after thirty minutes."
Howe Clarifies Decision and Praises Gordon's Character
Wayne Rooney, who was on punditry duty alongside Shearer, commented, "Eddie Howe mentioned before the game that Gordon probably had twenty or thirty minutes in him. That indicates the sports scientists and doctors believed he could participate. If you're ill, you're ill. You shouldn't be present. He walked past us before the match and declined to shake our hands, saying he didn't want us to catch anything, yet he entered the dressing room with his teammates."
Howe felt compelled to address these criticisms during his media briefing on Friday ahead of Newcastle's upcoming trip to Chelsea. "I must clarify something regarding Anthony Gordon," he began. "He was entirely willing to play in the Barcelona match. I'm aware of numerous comments. It was my decision not to start him, based on him being ill that morning and missing the training session. He was prepared to play, but in consultation with the medical team, we determined he wasn't fit to start."
The manager added, "My perception is that he faces significant scrutiny, but that accompanies being a top player. Once you represent England, you encounter a different level of scrutiny and expectation. Anthony has handled this admirably and is sufficiently single-minded to ignore much of the external noise. This is one of his strengths."
Howe praised Gordon's mentality, stating, "I'd categorize him as a winner. He desires to win everything; he's a genuine competitor. He possesses that streak all top players require, being very single-minded and focused on his development and performance. I can only speak highly of him this season. He's likely in his best form of the campaign."
Gordon entered the match during the final thirty minutes of the 1-1 draw with Barcelona. Reflecting on the situation, Howe said, "We trained that morning, and Anthony couldn't participate. That's a clear indication he wasn't in optimal physical condition. The doctors and staff performed excellently to get him to the starting line for us, even if only for a brief period. I believe he made a positive contribution when he came on."
