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2019/20 Anthony Gordon

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catcherintherye said:
I said I'd write a bit more on Gordon today, so here goes.

He's done really really well in all 3 games I've seen him, but particularly last night. As I think I've made quite clear, I don't get the chance to watch the younger players anywhere near as much as I did 5 years ago so wasn't as aware of Gordon coming through as I was with some of the others. That being said I was quite cautious on Gordon's chances, not because his record wasn't impressive but I suppose because it was no more impressive than a number of players who have struggled a little bit on making the jump.

He played a lot for the 18's as a 16 year old and got a bit of exposure for the 23's as an under 17 and then on from there. However if you look at say Ledson, Dowell, Evans, Kenny they all had equal, if not better records at playing above themselves in terms of age. I'll probably come back to this point but their record was better than his but they ultimately didn't quite make the jump. So to me it was always a maybe chance. I mean Evans in particular was electric as a lad going into the under 17's from the 23's pre-season tour and we looked to unearth another but ultimately he just lost his way a bit and struggled with growing pains.

From the bits I've seen of him in the 18's, he always had the ability to arrive late into the box and score "scruffy" goals. The comparisons with Dowell were certainly there, as he looked sort of similar (a slight small lad) who clearly had good vision and played off the front. However he used to burst into the box more than Dowell and get on the end of crosses. As he got a bit older, while he scored the odd worldie, you could see he carried the ball more quickly than Dowell did.

To go back to the point a couple of comparisons above, and as I said the other day, you can see with him, that the skills he has translate more easily to mens football. The way he carries the ball, the speed he does it with but also the acceleration and ability to subtly change direction and go either side is very rare and very sought after in mens football. I suspect it's why he looks to have made the leap over the others. I mean Bernard is a very good player, and has broader skills than Gordon, but his ability to carry the ball with such speed and precision he doesn't have, or isn't close to having.

The exciting thing for Gordon is that I only think we've seen a bit of his ability so far. He's had two tough home games to start with and shown an awful lot of ability. The fact the manager kept him on over Iwobi to play in the 10 is a biog vote of confidence. He has a good shot on him and a real eye for a goal, good with both feet etc. As he gets more confident I think he can add more end product to his game. He also has a good build, looks about 5 ft 10 or 11 and will begin to fill out and get stronger. As I said the other day, in terms of style he reminds me a lot of Steve Mcmanaman who seemed to be able to sway past defenders on either side.

A final bit of praise perhaps for David Unsworth. He looks like a footballer who knows his defensive responsibilities and I know Ancelotti has spoken a lot about "trusting" him. If you watch him yesterday, and even in the derby he is constantly back into good defensive positions when we lose the ball. If you compare that to say, Ademola Lookman who also had lots of ability, you could see with Lookman he didn't really have the positional understanding without the ball. Gordon seems to be able to slot in to different positions and do the defensive side of the game too, which is a big plus as it will get him on the pitch more.

So yes, for a lad who's just turned 19 it was a very impressive debut. The usual caveats that we have seen good debuts before-Davies, Billy Kenny, Cadamateri, Branch etc who have petered out. Hopefully he keeps his head down and keeps improving.
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Great post mate and i agree, i was very impressed, one thing that caught my eye was vision, decision making, speed of decision making and ability to execute - the pull back for the goal showed real awareness to make space, play it behind the defensive shape and awareness of Richarlisons game - arriving late into the box. There were two balls he hit that split the defense and though they didn't have an out come like his assist they very much could have if the players who received the chance had done better. it was also the variance the ability to pay on the flank, the ability to combine with Coleman and others and to drift central when space was there or the midfield was under the cosh. All of that shows good leadership skills. He looked an absolute gem to me. Im really excited. Id temper that though with the knowledge of having seeing so many come through, at 19 we can expect hit and miss - his job of work to 23 is to develop consistency, so patience is required wit him. But like i say im really excited by him.
 

First goal the other night was excellent as was the ball for his assist. All quick movement and a ruthless finish. Great stuff. The lad will gain more confidence now, personally I’d play him till the end of the season to get more and more experience going into the next season.
 
He looks made for the left sided midfield position.

@catcherintherye also mentioned a few times that he has the same trick as coutinho where he cuts inside and curls one in (ive seen a few of these in the highlights posted in the youth thread).

I have a feeling that he will continue to be eased into the team and I wouldnt be surprised to see Iwobi and him competing on the left next season.

Hoping he can score before the end of the season which will give him alot of confidence and a sense of belonging.

His story about spartan training during lockdown is very impressive. Its similar to DCL in terms of self improvement and becoming as good as you can be.

Gordon (19) DCL (23) Richarlison (23) ???


We also have Iwobi (24) and Kean (20) so probably 1-2 players away around the same age bracket to have a long term attacking quartet if Gordon can cement a place over next season.

Stability (unlike Kean experienced) and gradually easing him into the team will do him the world of good.

Also having the other young attacking players there to develop with as a unit.


Very exciting even if its very premature...hope he can make the step up.
 

Zatara said:
He looks made for the left sided midfield position.

@catcherintherye also mentioned a few times that he has the same trick as coutinho where he cuts inside and curls one in (ive seen a few of these in the highlights posted in the youth thread).

I have a feeling that he will continue to be eased into the team and I wouldnt be surprised to see Iwobi and him competing on the left next season.

Hoping he can score before the end of the season which will give him alot of confidence and a sense of belonging.

His story about spartan training during lockdown is very impressive. Its similar to DCL in terms of self improvement and becoming as good as you can be.

Gordon (19) DCL (23) Richarlison (23) ???


We also have Iwobi (24) and Kean (20) so probably 1-2 players away around the same age bracket to have a long term attacking quartet if Gordon can cement a place over next season.

Stability (unlike Kean experienced) and gradually easing him into the team will do him the world of good.

Also having the other young attacking players there to develop with as a unit.


Very exciting even if its very premature...hope he can make the step up.
Click to expand...


Spartan training?
 

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