Head coach Eddie Howe says it was his choice to not begin Anthony Gordon towards Barcelona after the unwell Newcastle United forward was criticised by pundits.
Gordon was questioned by quite a few figures within the sport – together with Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane – having not been within the beginning line-up for the primary leg of Newcastle‘s Champions League last-16 tie towards Barcelona on Tuesday.
Shearer, talking earlier than it was identified that Gordon had missed coaching, mentioned it could take “something extraordinary to keep myself out of this game”.
However, Gordon was not even in a position to participate in a walkthrough session on the morning of the match. His involvement was restricted to approaching as an alternative halfway by the second half of the 1-1 draw.
“I do have to clear something up,” Howe mentioned on Friday. “He was absolutely absolutely willing to play in the game against Barcelona.
“I do know there’s a whole lot of feedback. It was my choice to not begin him primarily based on the actual fact he had been unwell that morning and had not attended the coaching session.
“He was prepared to play but, in consultation with the medical team, we didn’t think he was fit to play.”
Gordon has since returned to coaching and is in competition to guide the road towards Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Howe believes the 25-year-old has “a lot of pressure on him” because of his standing as an England worldwide.
“My perception is he does face a lot of scrutiny, but I think that comes with being a top player,” he added.
“I don’t think you can escape that in this day and age, so, maybe part of that is his history and how he’s ended up at this club and the clubs that he’s played for previously.
“Of course, as quickly as you play for England, you go to a unique stage by way of scrutiny and expectation so, the fashionable participant has to resist all of these issues.
“I think Ant has done that well and he’s single-minded enough to blank out a lot of the noise. It’s one of his strengths.”
