When you say who was to blame without actually naming them – Anthony Gordon on the Euros

2 months ago 24

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I think fair to say that when a 21 year old Anthony Gordon signed for Newcastle United back in January 2023, not many NUFC fans thought we were getting the sharpest tool in the box.

An impression built up from limited past exposure, that a daft young scouse scallie had arrived on Tyneside.

As time has moved on and Anthony Gordon has played AND spoken more, Newcastle United fans for sure have changed their opinion. Both in terms of ability and the winger’s intelligence.

Interview after interview, the now 23 year old winger coming over as a mature and intelligent person, summed up by an excellent Overlap interview he did with Gary Neville.

That maturity of course severely tested in the summer, when a clueless Gareth Southgate treated him so badly. Only a couple of minutes against Slovenia, despite England struggled to creat chances, never mind score goals, against a series of poor to average oppositions.

Despite the shameful treatment from Gormless Gareth, Anthony Gordon keeping his own counsel, refusing to go public about the woeful way the then England manager treated him.

Nobody of course more relieved than the Newcastle United star, as Southgate belatedly resigned along with his tedious negative football and misuse of a far more talented group of players than we got to see, as the ultra defensive football totally stunted their attacking potential.

Now Lee Carsley in charge, somebody who won the Under 21 Euros in summer 2023, with Anthony Gordon star man and named player of the tournament.

Anyway, with England matches under the new boss coming up against Republic of Ireland today and Finland on Tuesday, Anthony Gordon speaking to the media.

This is maybe the ultimate example of what we have come to learn about this inspired Eddie Howe signing, as Gordon is asked the big question about the summer and gives the most intelligent and brutal answer, reminding us exactly who was to blame without actually naming them…

Anthony Gordon speaking to ITV – 6 September 2024:

Interviewer:

“Was Euro 2024 a success or failure?”

Anthony Gordon:

“Failure… because we lost.”

Interviewer:

“What was missing?”

Anthony Gordon:

“I think that expression, that freedom to express yourself.

“I think you could say we controlled all our games but I don’t think we were very dynamic.

“We weren’t killing teams, we weren’t relentless in trying to score goals.

“We had good moments from really elite players, like H and Jude, which carried us through.

“But I think… yeah, we lacked a bit of dynamic, a bit of excitement.”

Euro 2024, success or failure?

“Failure”. A no-nonsense assessment from England’s Anthony Gordon on the side’s lack of dynamism ❌ #ITVFootball | @gabrielclarke05 pic.twitter.com/MY5GvSlMzx

— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 7, 2024

England confirmed schedule to end of 2024:

Saturday 7 September – Republic of Ireland v England

Tuesday 10 September – England v Finland

Thursday 10 October – England v Greece

Sunday 13 October – Finland v England

Wednesday 14 November – Greece v England

Saturday 17 November – England v Republic of Ireland

Newcastle United schedule to end of October 2024:

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3pm)

Tuesday 24 September 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle (7.45pm) Sky Sports+