Alan Shearer suggests Newcastle United role change for Anthony Gordon amid selection dilemma
Alan Shearer has suggested a solution to Eddie Howe’s winger dilemma. Both Anthony Gordon and Sunday’s match-winner Harvey Barnes are in top form - which for Eddie Howe will be pleasing, of course. However, their form and seeming favouritism for the left flank is causing a selection headache for the Newcastle boss.
Gordon started the match at Molineux last weekend and was up to his usual tricks of frightening defenders - Nelson Semedo last weekend - with his raw pace and improved crossing ability. Former Leicester City man Barnes was introduced at half-time, causing Gordon to take up a more central role while Barnes settled on his familiar left side.
The change proved decisive as the 26-year-old unleashed a sumptuous strike past Sam Johnstone to send the travelling fans home happy and extending Newcastle’s unbeaten run at the start of the season.
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As is modern football, strangely enough, both players mentioned are right-footed despite favouring the left side and mainly playing as an ‘inverted winger’, but Gordon can go both ways at will.
Former Newcastle striker and manager Shearer believes there is a solution, speaking on The Rest is Football, he said: “Barnes and Gordon both want to play on that left-hand side and cut in on that right, and they’re both very good at doing that, hence Barnes scoring. Gordon went down the middle today because Isak came off at half-time. So if he can find a way to get both of those in the team.”
He added: “Probably Gordon on the right if Isak is going to be fit. I know Wilson has been injured and he hasn’t appeared this season yet. But probably Gordon on the right and then Barnes on the left-hand side and Isak down the middle. I mean that’s a really, really good front three.”
Although, there is an obvious method to the thinking of Shearer but the statistics tell a different story. In his professional career, the former Everton man has 101 games as the left winger contributing with 39 goal involvements; 47 appearances on the right with 13 goal involvements; 19 matches as an attacking midfielder with 13 goal contributions; and 13 fixtures as a centre forward with four goals contributions.
As for Barnes, 215 of his professional appearances have saw him occupy the left hand side with 99 goal contributions from the left. On just 14 times he has played on the right flank with three goal contributions from the right wing. So, logically Gordon would make the switch given the stats.
Take what you will from the numbers, but you will see it is fairly obvious that Gordon's best output comes from the left. One of the two is giving to have to settle for a spot in a position they are less familiar with.