Eddie Howe’s verdict on Anthony Gordon after Newcastle United’s 2-1 win over Tottenham reflects poorly on both Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade.
Gordon started up front for Newcastle United as they recorded a much-needed win over Spurs on Tuesday night.
Malick Thiaw opened the scoring after a Joe Willock goal had been disallowed, before Archie Gray equalised.
However, fine work from Gordon teed up Jacob Ramsey for his first Newcastle goal and secured a huge three points in north London.
Gordon has been criticised when he has played as a striker, but it’s not as if either Wissa or Woltemade have covered themselves in glory for months now.
Speaking after the game, Howe praised the England international – which is a damning indictment on Wissa and Woltemade, or perhaps the people who signed them.
Eddie Howe hails Anthony Gordon for energetic Newcastle display
During his post-match press conference, the Newcastle United manager was full of praise for Gordon.
He said: “Anthony’s legs, his desire to press, makes the team play better.
“It had a really fluid look to it. We wanted to play with a fluid frontline. We wanted to press aggressively. You need quick and mobile players [to do that].”
Frankly, neither Woltemade nor Wissa offer that. That’s not really Woltemade’s game, while Wissa has struggled to full fitness after suffering a serious knee injury in September.
Newcastle United spent £124m on Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade
Wissa and Woltemade cost Newcastle a combined estimate of £124million, and that figure could yet rise based on add-ons.
It is damning, then, that playing Gordon up front was the better solution for Howe on Tuesday night.
One game is not exactly a huge sample size, but it is worth remembering that Gordon has previously played well against Liverpool and Aston Villa in that role too.
It again raises questions about Newcastle’s recruitment. They’ve spent all that money and playing a winger out of position currently looks like their best hope of solving the striker crisis.
Perhaps Wissa and Woltemade will come good. The latter has certainly shown signs.
However, it’s currently very difficult to argue that either fit into what Howe wants.