The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Thank goodness for young Lion Gordon
STALWART HAS BECOME MAGPIES’ MR CONSISTENCY
WHILE players have been going down like ninepins throughout a relentless season of frustration Newcastle at least have one of their most influential figures, Anthony Gordon, back to worry Fulham after his single game suspension.
Gordon has had some year – the biggest hero among heroes when England became Euro Under-21 champions, he transferred that form into United’s campaign to such an impressive extent that he won his breakthrough full England cap and set himself up for another crack at the major Euros this summer.
Mind you, by the time next season opens to swirling new optimism Gordon will have been playing nonstop without a rest for yonks.
Whether operating wide left or as a false nine Gordon was so impressive in his under-21s stint that he was voted Player of the Tournament.
Gareth Southgate, always an admirer of work rate as well as ability, had noticed that form for the young Three Lions and how it continued in black-and-white. I remember when Gordon was viewed as an irritating little Scouser by United fans and, I suspect, all others across England’s top flight. Not any longer on Tyneside. Now he is a Geordie treasure. A relentless workaholic going forwards and backwards, a brave protector of the ball, both a maker and a taker of goals.
Gordon has added much to what was perceived as promise during his Everton days, not least an ability to finish. He is United’s second top scorer to Alexander Isak with nine PL goals and 10 in all competitions. Never before has he managed such a bountiful return.
His coronation as Newcastle’s Player of the Year seems a mere formality to go with his Euro Under-21s best player award and his first full England cap, all achieved in the last year since his move to St James’ Park. That is called progress!
What has also been impressive during a season of wall-to-wall injuries is that, despite a readiness to take the ball close to defenders and taunt them inviting robust reaction, Gordon has remained consistently healthy, which is quite incredible. He has missed only two of United’s 30 league matches, both through suspension – first time for totting up five yellow cards and missed out on Tuesday night after being sent off against West Ham for receiving two yellows. However, the chronic lack of bodies will inevitably continue against Fulham in the capital. Only Gordon is likely to return to depleted ranks, which means the subs bench beneath the starting 11 will once again be as fragile as it can get.
It seems a long time since the strength of the back-up made the big difference in bringing about a stirring 1-3 to 4-3 victory over West Ham.
United have a larger sick list than your local GP and have also suffered the ludicrous situation of losing the services of a new £52m signing to a betting ban that covers the thick part of a year before fans have even been able to determine how he plays. What next?
Having emerged from two home games of contrasting fortunes, Newcastle enter the third round of fixtures inside a week.
What will it hold? May history repeat itself – United won 2-0 at Craven Cottage in the fourth round of the FA Cup back in January after cuffing Fulham 3-0 up here the previous month? A hat-trick would be nice. No goals conceded – can you believe that – and five scored. A more than decent set of figures which we don’t want spoiled. If
Gordon has added much to what was perceived as promise during his Everton days, not least an ability to finish
United manage to make it three victories in a row over the Cottagers it would be only their second PL double of the season, the other surprisingly coming against high-flyers Aston Villa.
That cup victory at Craven Cottage came slap bang in the middle of four successive away wins in a month starting early January – 3-0 against Sunderland and 2-0 Fulham in the FA Cup plus 3-1 at Villa and 3-2 Nottingham Forest. What a purple patch that was.
This, however, will not be a stroll along the river bank. Fulham are a vastly different proposition at home to away. They may have lost badly at Forest in midweek but they are back with home comforts, which will transform them. They have been victorious in nine of their 15 PL matches on familiar soil but have collected full points only twice in 16 attempts when requiring an overnight stay.
Nevertheless, I feel that the biggest problem for Newcastle is themselves rather than Fulham. Their inability to fill the team sheet, especially the subs slots, with senior players of quality. If all were fit United would win but considering who is available it is a very different matter. Get to 70 minutes and what can Eddie Howe do to protect a lead or throw on somehow who can bring genuine impact?
This is a fixture with history. Many have graced the home dressingroom of both clubs, particularly Lee Clark, a Geordie transferred to London, and a Fulham lad Malcolm Macdonald, who became a legend up here. However the links go much deeper than that. Dan Burn obviously played for them before coming home while a diverse variety of top names such as Bobby Robson, Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley, Paul Bracewell, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Scott Parker, Damien Duff, Andy Cole and even United’s massively long-serving physio Derek Wright were employed by both.
If that looks like a love-in then it most certainly will not be. There is much at stake, not least professional pride after midweek setbacks. Both sides need victory.