Newcastle United fans are getting pretty frustrated with the players right now, and we can’t really blame them.
Results have been up and down for months, and performances have been even more inconsistent. Indeed, we could probably count on one hand the number of actually exciting, encouraging team displays from Newcastle United this season.
How much is this version of Anthony Gordon worth in the transfer market? Some player when he’s at his best 😍
Eddie Howe is coming under increasing pressure with some even suggesting he has taken the club as far as he can at this juncture. Admittedly, Newcastle’s injury list is not helping matters, but there is a bigger, more deep-rooted problem at play.
Anthony Elanga has become something of a scapegoat for the Magpies’ attacking failures, but it’s one of his teammates that is a far bigger concern if you ask me.
- READ MORE: Alan Shearer slams Newcastle United’s lack of desire in damning analysis of Eddie Howe’s side
Anthony Gordon is the symbol of Newcastle United struggles
Yes, it’s time we really talked about Anthony Gordon and his awful output this season, and indeed, this year. He’s scored just two goals in the Premier League in 2025/26, with both of them coming from the penalty spot.
You have to go way back to January 2025 for his last open play goal in the league. For a player of his calibre — and indeed, his price tag — that is simply unacceptable.
This is not a revolutionary viewpoint, mind you. Newcastle fans have been frustrated with Gordon’s displays for some time, but as we approach the end of the year, it’s becoming more and more concerning.
While Elanga’s end product has been criticised, it’s worth noting he has created more chances than most in the Newcastle team — he’s actually ranked third for chances created, and has more than Gordon.
And therein lies the problem. We say Elanga is a disappointment, but in relative standards, Gordon should be far, far better. He’s not even got assists to make up for his lack of goals, and has gone from being the poster boy of Newcastle’s success to being the symbol of their failure of late.
- READ MORE: Newcastle United fans assured of ‘long-term’ PIF plan as Jamie Reuben speaks out amid ‘limbo’
Sign a new right winger in January or wait for Anthony Elanga to come good?
For a minute, in this make believe fantasy land, let's forget about PSR 😂
Even Jacob Murphy has looked off it this season!
What is Anthony Gordon’s problem?
This is a player who has aspirations (and a very good chance) of representing England at the World Cup next summer. We are well within our rights to hold Gordon to a higher standard than most players, and he is simply not delivering.
Gary Neville picked out two issues with Gordon after the defeat to Man United; namely, that Gordon is playing too wide and too deep to actually impact games. Is this a sign that the winger is shying away from what needs to be done on the pitch, or is he being instructed to operate in those zones?
Eddie Howe responded to criticisms that his side lack creativity this week, saying: “Everyone can have an opinion on that. I think we’re always analysing the squad and seeing where any potential weaknesses are and where we can improve.”
Surely, Howe and his coaches could have seen what we’ve all seen of Gordon lately and recognised that something isn’t right? I guess the real problem is, Gordon is capable of magic at times, and it’s hard to leave a player like that out of the side.
Still, those moments of magic are few and far between lately, and something’s got to give sooner or later. The creative issues at Newcastle run far deeper than just Anthony Gordon, but he is the one who has to shoulder most of the blame. Now, it’s time for him to step up and be counted; and not just in the Champions League.
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