'They get paid well to stop me': Newcastle's Gordon unconcerned by mixed form

Newcastle ace Gordon bristles at form doubts: Perception against reality!
Newcastle ace Gordon bristles at form doubts: Perception against reality!REUTERS

Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has rejected criticism of his form this season.

The Scouser has been questioned in recent weeks over his goal-scoring in the Premier League. The winger hasn't scored in the top-flight in over the year - though has six goals in the Champions League this term.

Asked about his form ahead of Newcastle's clash with PSG, Gordon insisted: "I think perception can sometimes distort reality a little bit. I think people's expectations of me have grown, and rightly so, and I'm completely fine with that. But I know I'm doing the right things every day. I try and do the right things, whether I'm flying or whether I'm not playing so well.

"I try and give my best and the result, sometimes, is kind of out of my hands. I'm always playing against right backs who are elite themselves, so I know people expect a lot from me, but they're also quite good players and they get paid quite well to stop me."

On the media scrutiny, Gordon continued: "I don't mind it (media analysis). It's not personal to me, it's just your job, it's what you're meant to do. Part of trying to be great at something is you can take people's opinions good or bad. If you can't, then you're probably not meant to be great.

"I think I take it quite well. I don't take it personal. I'm not a very sensitive person. I just try and focus on myself all the time, because that's all I can do. The world we live in now, that just comes with the territory, it's the nature of the beast."

He added: "But I stay off social media, so it's not that bad for me. I know a lot of players do use it. It is what you make it, but it's not for me. I don't care for people's opinion, whether they love me or they don't like me, it doesn't bother me either way.

"I like to just go off my own motivation, the the things that motivate me daily. But that comes from within for me. Some people can use the social media stuff for motivation, but that's not my style."

On why he's been more successful in Europe this term, Gordon added: "I don't have an answer for you, unfortunately. It's just one of those things. I'm trying the exact same in both games. I'm trying to do the right things always. They're just going in in the Champions League. I don't have an answer for you."