Eddie Howe called out for failing to ‘protect’ Newcastle star in press conference

Eddie Howe should have protected Anthony Gordon more after criticism from Alan Shearer, according to the Inside The Toon panel.

Gordon didn’t start Newcastle‘s 1-1 draw with Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 at St James’ Park due to illness.

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William Osula led the line for Eddie Howe‘s men, running himself into the ground before being replaced by Gordon.

The 25-year-old was introduced in the second half, but Shearer on Amazon Prime’s coverage wasn’t having it.

He said: “Maybe I’m old school, but if you’re fit enough to train in the morning, and I know he doesn’t feel well, but this is Barcelona at Newcastle for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

“It would take something extraordinary to keep myself out of this game tonight.

“And then to come and say, ‘I might be able to give you half an hour at the end’, I don’t know, give us half an hour at the beginning and if you’re feeling alright, you get through to half time.”

After the game, Howe clarified that Gordon didn’t train and the doctors managed to do enough to ensure he was able to at least be a substitute.

He said: “I think with Anthony, this morning we knew he couldn’t start.

“Anthony didn’t make training in the morning, that’s a pretty good sign that he’s not in the best physical condition.

“Doctors and everyone did a great job to get him to the start line for us… I thought he made a good contribution when he came on.”

On the latest episode of Inside The Toon, Jack Cunningham (yours truly) said he doubted Gordon would have chosen not to start if he was a bit ill.

Cunningham said: “Gordon is the second-top goalscorer in the Champions League behind Kylian Mbappe. He has made it very clear that the Champions League nights are what he thrives off and what he really enjoys.

“There is no way in a round of 16 clash at St James’ Park, and he’s got a cold, and he’s said, ‘I don’t fancy it.’

“It is not going to be the case, so I do think it was more Howe and the coaching staff deciding that they’d bring him on if they needed him.”

That prompted host Olly Clink to question if Howe should have done more if it had been his decision to not start Gordon in the clash.

He said: “Do you think Howe could have protected him a little bit more?

“For me, he should be coming out and saying, ‘this is not Anthony’s call, and he was desperate to start. I actually made the decision, and I felt I could get more out of him in the last 30 minutes.’

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“Given a figure like Shearer is making the assumption that it was Gordon’s decision. It’s got to be down to Eddie Howe.”

In response to that, Head of Sport for The Sun Shaun Custis said: “Possibly. Maybe he is just being honest. It is a difficult one, but I take your point that it’s the manager’s job to protect his players.

“If a player comes to you and says, ‘look, I am not a 100 per cent, but I am happy to start’

“That leaves the manager in a tricky position because he’s probably thinking if he’s going to get the best out of him even if he wants to play if he’s feeling ill.”

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Gordon misses opportunity

Heading into the game, Gordon was the second top goalscorer in the Champions League this season with ten.

He would have been eyeing this match as a chance to boost that tally and put Newcastle into a strong position.

In the end, he watched from the bench as the Magpies went toe-to-toe with Barcelona.

He was on the pitch when Harvey Barnes opened the scoring late on from Jacob Murphy’s cross, but the Magpies couldn’t hold on.

Malick Thiaw gave away a late spot kick, and Lamine Yamal converted, leaving the tie finely balanced as the Magpies head to the Camp Nou.

They will hope that the forward is fit and firing for one of Newcastle’s biggest games in their history.