Why Gordon omission is crazy + who is NUFC best midfield 3?

The Daily Mail's Craig Hope brings you the latest on Newcastle United after speaking to Eddie Howe at the club's training ground.
Who is fit for the visit of Brighton? Who plays in goal? Who takes the penalties?
But first, Craig cannot believe Anthony Gordon is not included on the shortlist for Premier League Young Player of the Year....
Click here to join Craig's NUFC WhatsApp channel... whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaOd...

[@user-js1eu8lx6x]

Good call. One word matches Gordon well: Intensity. He ties defenders up in knots when he runs at them, exposes them with his pace when he shuttles down the line on the break of play. Delivers a spicy ball from a set piece or live ball. Has acute awareness when another player is in a better position to score & is quick to take a pop when they aren't. Total athlete. Speed, stamina, skill & a voracious appetite to win. To top it all off - he's a gent.

[@yogihightower]

Gordon is my player of the year. No other player turns up in the big games more than Gordon. He is the only player to score against every "greedy 6" club this season. He has a phenomenal attitude, he creates almost every time he gets the ball in final 3rd, his pace is stupid, is pressing is up there with the best. Just imagine how he could progress going forward a few years. I honestly belive he will be one of tbe best players in the world in 3 or 4 years time.

[@derekoetting4245]

After seeing gordons mentality this year i have no doubt that the omission will only push the lad even further. Said he was an excellent signing for the start when fans were saying he couldn't lace a persons boots who's name most have forgotten.

[@user-qq1gz5hb2g]

Totally agree,he’s been massive for us!

[@Jules220965]

Can’t believe Anthony Gordon was not in nomination’ but then again Nothing Surprises me with Premier League.🌑⚽️

[@beepmac275]

So appreciate what you do Craig..I really feel informed after watching your vlogs..your viewpoint is not to far away from my own , Never known such a long period where I’ve been so content and happy with the direction the club are going , it will be an amazing achievement if we get into Europe after the testing season we’ve had ..

[@georgemorley1029]

It’s quite simple Craig. They’ve left the best attacking midfielder in England off the list because, unlike Isak, they don’t want to prise him out of our club…yet.

[@leeanderson42]

Anthony Gordon is an old school Roy of Rovers type of player. He has the same sort of attitude as Alan Shearer. A rare find and fantastic he is a Newcastle United player.

[@earthlingcarl3179]

Absolute bargain from Everton in hindsight.

[@user-hr4pb9ie4w]

Yeah , we got a 21 yr old on a 5 year deal £45 Million , not even £10 million a season & we are getting his best years & come 26 year old he still has a re sale value IF he or the club want out ?

[@derekclacton]

💯- staggered not to see Gordon included!

[@davidrobinson2776]

Exactly Craig. Anthony Gordon has barely dipped below a 7 but usually is my MOTM.

[@kendo5862]

Gordon has been consistent all season long and is a shocker he’s not been shortlisted

[@kathchandler4919]

Anthony has been the oil in our engine , candidate for Captain

[@marcusoreallly]

I love when anyone asks Eddie a question; he takes a deep breath, then he follows with a word salad. He's becoming world class in front of our eyes.

[@jamesmilligan2797]

Eddie knew Gordon was a belter & knew things the doubters didnt. Absolute sigin of the season HTLs 🏳🏴

[@SwiftyDeejay]

I’m gutted for Gordon but at the same time I’m glad he’s being underrated. It means managers and players are less prepared for him so he can more easily have their lives on the football pitch.

[@markowens369]

Good vlog again Craig, saw the match at Brighton last year, so disappointed with the result. They just went through us like a dose of salts, A must win game tomorrow for Newcastle United. HTL.

[@luketheakston7898]

Agree with you on Tonali. Will be interesting to see if he has made a big step up after 10 months of Eddie Howe coaching (should do)

[@daveyeddie8176]

All angles covered, on the money. 👏

[@Steph-wq9it]

Anthony Gordon has been our most highly consistent player this season. So yes, the player of the season at Newcastle.

[@btaylor7226]

Agree with you Craig about Tonali, Eddie working with him the last 10 months, by the time he comes back, we'll see a very much improved, hungry player who'll want to repay the club for all the help and support he's received. Hope the lads do the business against Brighton tomorrow, would be great ending the season at home with a win. Cheers Craig👍 Are you planning any coverage of the friendlies during the summer mate?

[@ChrisMacG060]

This omission of Gordon for "young player of the year" is quite bizarre and an unfathomable non decision by the Premier League. Gordon has been quite brilliantly influential and has played almost every game he needed to be available for scored goals and provided assists, what more does a young player have to do to get noticed, what the hell is wrong don't the PL bods never leave London.

[@johnwhitfield8456]

It’s ignorant & it’s biased.

[@Steph-wq9it]

It’s Bizarre

[@montybrewster7]

Once again i find myself in total agreement craig. Anthony gordon is my player of the season for us just ahead of isak. And yet i had some joker (probably a mackem troll) telling me he's only a championship player today? Nonsense! As you say, it’s not only been his return but his consistency & continuous availability. I'm not going to lie, i wasn't bowled over when we signed him. But man, the lad has done exactly what you want any new player to do & won me over with outstanding performances week in week out. I also agree our best midfield is J7 & bruno plus A.N.other. I was one of those that 2 weeks ago felt that if we were to get a £100m offer for bruno we'd have to take it. But anything less than that & i hope we tell clubs to do one. I still feel given that i don't believe there will be any sort of significant funds available in the summer that if we are to improve a squad that most of us agree is not at champions league level we'll have to sell to reinvest we are going to have to raise funds through sales. But selling bruno or alex on the cheap would be 'fools gold'. Cheers as always craig.

[@341METAXA]

Couldn’t agree more about AG. We all thought he was a bellend! Never been more wrong about a player. Ability, application, commitment he has that lot. Player of the season!

[@Cory-lh3yp]

Any news on Isaks contract Craig, is it likely? Seen a few ‘journalists’ loosely reporting it but nothing concrete yet that’s given me any confidence. Isak signing a new contract would be 10x bigger for the club than any transfer we could make this summer

[@juliaroga1918]

Bumped into you this afternoon Craig, thanks for the ‘good luck’ message for my daughter’s footy tournament. Great vlog and agree re Tonali, he looked good pre-season but just didn’t ever get going in the Prem - hopefully due the what was hanging over him. Sorry for slightly interrupting your chat with CW, but my daughter was beside herself and what a genuinely nice fella! Do you think he will start Saturday?

[@craighope_dailymail]

Ah no problem. Thank you for saying hello!

[@andyh323]

Absolutely agree. Who the heck makes such ridiculous decisions? If Mainoo played for a none Cartel club he wouldn't be on the list.

[@jamiekirkbride3414]

English media piping up the likes of Mainoo is something we've seen many times over the years. AG has been phenomena for NUFC this season. I hope he gets game time in the Euros. The experience of being there and in the camp will be huge for his development too.

[@jimlocker-ws3kb]

Right on re Tonali, obviously his gambling habit was weighing heavily on him. Eddie is right on we have to keep and build around Bruno and Isaak and oh yes Gordon.

[@Ozmag1508]

Agree Craig, Sandro has it all to do to prove his value. I would love to see Anderson deliver his consistent best and if he does he makes the starting side every week for me. Thanks for the update always look forward to your videos

[@Dykeneukreiver]

Linden Road is looking great

[@rogercookcouk]

Tonali at Brighton, head issues. Villa he was incredible. Hopefully, he will come back at that top level, with a Geordie accent!

[@georgemorley1029]

Why si pet!

[@rogercookcouk]

@@georgemorley1029 😂🍕

[@Nienna1837]

Gordon is our player of the season by a mile. Without him, we would have been toast so many times. I think the externals are trying to undermine Gordon by not selecting him - maybe trying to destabilise him by putting doubt while he is in the toon he will get overlooked or stuff like that. As for the best midfield of the toon when everyone is available and fit, it is simply Big Joe, Bruno and Tonali. I will rank Willock then Miley then Longstaff and Anderson in that order of importance and ability to influence games positively. Gordon and Isak take 2 of the 3 places but I am not sure we have a clinical RW. I hope Minteh can make the jump and own that wing. Back four is Tripps, Schär, Burn, and either Tino/Hall until Botman returns. In goal is Pope for me. We need good back up keepers. Some one young who can eventually take over from Pope.

[@johnnymcdougall482]

Great video as always Craig. Super content. Regarding your CM point would be interested to understand what’s changed for you given a few months ago you were critical of the club for not signing a six last summer. Is it realisation that Eddie doesn’t want to play with a six? Has your view of any the current CM options been elevated? Or you just think club’s priorities are / should be elsewhere now?

[@andrewbarnes3554]

I’m pretty sure Tonali form was down to this crazy things behind the scenes he is human. I’m also sure we will see the best of him when he returns.

[@davidbriggs4323]

Entirely justified in regards to Tonali - he showed glimpses of what he can do but not at Bruno/Joelinton levels of influence yet and actually I have concerns that he won’t make it at Newcastle not in terms of effort but more after all that’s happened I feel he has a massive spotlight on him when he returns

[@derekclacton]

7:47 Eddie Ow! 🤕 Sorry, Craig - that might be one more for a rival paper 😉

[@Dykeneukreiver]

Much nicer backdrop than busy Parisienne streets on the banks of the Seine

[@danielshakespeare8093]

Joelinton, Bruno and Tonali 💯 without a doubt is our best midfield - Tonali will be our player of the season next season when we requalify for the Champions League

[@warwickhunt]

Not enough is made of Gordon's dead ball delivery, Trippier has brought a great mentality to the club, but Gordon on dead balls has been an upgrade in recent weeks

[@garyperkins4193]

Schar has been superb. Would be touted as footballer of the year if he played for Man City.

[@owenrichardson1419]

Good positive words. Canny quiff btw.

[@johnwhitfield8456]

I fear the midfield starters won’t include Tonali next season. He will probably need time to get up to speed with the real pace of Premiership matches. Anderson does look exciting though. It’s a bit of an ignorant snub not to include Gordon. Thankfully Gareth has more sense and less bias.

[@andrewford119]

Hi Craig. Love your content. Do we know if Hall will 100% be a Newcastle player next year. It’s still not confirmed. Also why do you think Howe did the Overlap interview? I’d of thought he’d usually run a 100 miles from such a thing. Was it club pressure or perhaps a financial choice? Would be great to hear your opinion. Keep up the great work. Cheers. Andy

[@craighope_dailymail]

Hall will be a Newcastle player next year, yes. As for The Overlap, I was surprised myself, but then it’s all linked to SkyBet etc. He spoke very well though.

[@Jackosaurus117]

Absolutely wild take on Tonali

[@craighope_dailymail]

You think he was brilliant in the 12 games?

[@conradrichards3363]

In todays football world , young player of the year would equate to a player breakthrough season to top flight at 16,17 0r 18 after starting at age of 6 or 7

[@biniorganproductionbg2898]

Nuhhh isak is king!!

[@BrianPinas9]

Murillo should have been named young player of the year. Different class.

[@craig3420]

U are right..tonali was indifferent..but i do think his betting issue was to blame for his form..he is an outstanding talent...the betting is gone and hes got the language in the bank and seeing how eddie plays...i think he will be our player of the season ...time will be the evidence

[@danielcain6671]

Gordan is my fav player him and isak and Bruno

[@Helmetbolt]

Midfield. Joelinton, Willock and Anderson are all lefthand side midfielders. Bruno in the middle. Our right hand side options are Tonali, Longstaff and Miley. That's why he continues to play Longstaff, even with an injury.

[@NUFCSCOTT95]

It's an absolute joke! Are we surprised that the same players from the same teams are there... not one bit

[@user-yj2od2od8m]

The one thing this season that has sometime let him down is away from home, at home he is fantastic and has been all season but Gordon and in fact Newcastle have disappointed away and unfortunately Anthony has gone missing in certain away games.

[@01ddunn]

He's been great for us, but I don't mind him missing out, he wouldn't have beaten Palmer and there's fewer eyes on him trying to take him from us.

[@geordiedog1749]

Just makes you think about how insane the injury situ has been when you look at the abundance of riches we have in the centre of they were all available.

[@corronord]

Good vid, skipped your Tonali drivel. Joey, Tonali and Bruno through the middle.

[@martinm4961]

He doubled his value this season! Mad that £40m seems like a bargain these days!

[@geordiedog1749]

Two strikers? Doesn’t always have to mean 4-4-2 and Milan just won Serie A with a 3-5-2. Plus, teams have an in possession and an out of possession formation these days. I think Eddie will go 4-4-2 though with both Tino and Hall inverted. Actually, they both massive,y inverted last time out. But it worked well. The best thing is that Brighton will now have to incorporate two strategies as they’ll not know if we’re coming at them as we always have or in the new formation.

[@BrianPinas9]

Fabian Schar player of the season

[@jonathansmith5850]

With a fully fit squad, we have a very varied and strong midfield! The only weak point I see so far, ironically, is Tonali……..

[@michaels09]

I’d switch between Bruno (if still here) and tonali. Joelinton Bruno and wilock midfield.

[@centurion8446]

Tonali will do very well next season after syncing, ala Gordon

[@iainchisholm17]

With everyone fit id just favour willock but i think anderson should start. Assuming he has a solid preseason. Tonali needs to earn his place. And lonstaff will never let u down although i could see them cashing in on longstaff.

[@BrianPinas9]

Fabian Schar, Isak, Guimaraes and Dubravka have been our stand out performers this season.

[@terrym61]

Is this snub for Gordon just another example of the anti Newcastle campaign.Yes Isak is in but come on what the hell have this panel been watching.UNBELIEVABLE

[@michaels09]

It’s the players that vote not a panel

[@terrym61]

@@michaels09 you sure about that 🤔

[@michaels09]

@@terrym61 70%

[@marcusdidius4090]

Dear craig, Canny video as always👍 Score prediction:5-0 the Toon👍✊🤘👏😎😁 Regards,

[@barrycrosby8602]

Gordon is without any doubt Newcastle United player of the season, his all round play is excellent and proved he can do it consistently against the best teams, the Premier league player of the season is a con the established elite always ensure one of their team or unbelievably two in arsenal get nominated, Gordon has done better over the season than everyone on the list yet is omitted what a scandal

[@truthfactory8139]

Isak will be 25 in September. He started the season at a 23 year old.

[@user-yj2od2od8m]

Midfield is not a priority I agree with you unless someone leaves, but centre half is and Tosin and Kelly would do great on frees giving us them two and Schar and Burn for next season knowing Botman is due back at Christmas. For me a right winger is a must and sadly Miggy will have to be sacrificed but who do we go for, I know Olise and Pedro Neto have been mentioned but both have terrible injury records and Williams in Spain is a no-no as his wages are astronomical and that puts us out of the running. I know goalkeeper has been mentioned and that’s a possibility but surely we still have to look at left back or are we going to carry on playing centre halves there with Lewis Hall filling in now and then.

[@daveb8407]

Tonali was great against Aston Villa I do think the betting issues were coming down the line and it really got in his head.

[@paulgribbin9915]

Anthony Gordon has been amazing...100% effort every game..Great player

[@Sillygoooose624]

Gosforth looking lovely - much better than Paris!

[@adrianbromfild8624]

If Tonali is not fit physically for the beginning of next season there is something seriously wrong with him and Newcastle for him not being up to standard

[@simonrobson-cross7929]

The shortlist should be examined by VAR ……but then again!

[@listey]

They would overturn their decision and decide there aren't enough Man City players short-listed.

[@Sillygoooose624]

Lewie Miley has had just as good of a season as Mainoo.

[@NUFCOfficial]

We don't need external praise to our players or club in general, we champion them ourselves. Football is so fickle we shouldn't fall into every other fanbase because it's what you "should do", man city have done that route of wanting external praise and nobody respects them anyway. Just look at the way we were when we came 2nd in 1974 fa cup, that's who our fans are and should be.

[@davidsmith1066]

I have to agree with you Craig I said from day 1 he was going to be a star and at the best club to do this ❤️👍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍

[@kicka11]

Well hullo there. Half a shandy please barkeep.

[@rogercookcouk]

WhatsApp channel ✅

[@shauntaylor6040]

Not sure Tonali is an 8, he is more of a deep lying playmaker a la Bruno. Thats where he played at Milan.

[@danielshakespeare8093]

We need to sell Longstaff

[@michaels09]

Spot on, he’s been average and it’s not a debate. Some fans can’t see past their black and white bias.

[@fizzysausage]

Think you need a visit to the barber young’n - couldn’t concentrate on the craic for your barnet 😂 no way that’s had a chop since yesterday 🤔

[@audreyhall8644]

Play for Man Utd and the media dictate the rest.

[@bernicia-sc2iw]

If the people voting aren't taking it seriously , why should we ? Forget them and their mickey mouse awards.

[@jeanince3553]

Common Craig, you're running out of time to do a Jesmond walk and talk. What have you hot again, Jesmond? It has good pubs and cafes. John and Jean

[@billburnett3902]

I don't go with this PSR FFP crap. NUFC can bring in as much money as they want to, so selling players to fund others is total rubbish.

[@zepherreload]

Someone tell me why they keeping longstiff. If you watch him he does nothing good. Tonali is better than longstaff way better.

[@zepherreload]

If we want to go further admit players like longstaff, and lascelles are not good enough.

[@TinyBellEnd]

Maybe they are, maybe they aren't.. who cares. Get behind the lads for as long as they're pulling the shirt on

[@zepherreload]

@@TinyBellEnd definitely I'm behind them, but still think lomgstaff needs replaced.

[@TinyBellEnd]

@zepherreload that doesn't sound like someone who is behind them, if your not behind longstaff your not a true fan I'm sorry to say it but he's a geordie through and through and that deserves our support. Plastic fan

[@oitoitoi1]

Lascelles is massively improved, fantastic presence to have in the club too, and we don't have any depth at CB to be selling him. Midfield isn't a priority this summer so maybe Longstaff will improve his consistency by next summer. This summer expecting some sales of squad players and maybe Callum Wilson, 2 new CB in, and another player who can play on the right wing (come on Olise!).

[@TinyBellEnd]

@oitoitoi1 think lascelles planes already booked tbh pal, been a fantastic servant to the club along the years but he wanted away January, surely will be gone in the summer

[@JackBurton3963]

Tonali was not good in the Milan game wtf. Everyone was bad except for Pope and Elliot Anderson when he came on.

[@philip244]

Why do you always look constipated in your thumbnails?

[@andrewharrison7767]

Nah Gordon's been crap and doesn't deserve media attention guys - there's a transfer window coming up (satire alert) 🤣

[@BrianPinas9]

Saint Maximin was worth £23m, so Gordon must be worth about £15m at best. Saint Maximin is far superior

[@andyh323]

You have a good sense of humor for a Sunderland supporter.

[@BrianPinas9]

@@andyh323 What's funny about Saint Maximin being better than Gordon. All defenders would fear Saint Maximin more than Gordon.

[@BrianPinas9]

Almiron is better than Gordon

[@andyh323]

You need to go to Specsavers.