28 June 2024 , 21:30
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Anthony Gordon was not at the back of the queue when they were handing out confidence pills.
In fact, there is no-one in the Three Lions camp more bullish than the Newcastle United attacker when it comes to talking up his own strengths. And in the countdown to the clash with Slovakia, Gordon set out - in no uncertain terms - his case for a starting spot in Gareth Southgate ’s line-up.
He declared: “I am very direct, I’m quick. I know I am a nightmare for anyone that I play against. I’m positive. Every time I get the ball, I always try to make something happen. I’m not a very safe player, I am always going for it. I am always trying to put people on the back foot.
“With the players we have got - the likes of H ( Harry Kane ), who likes to drop deep - I add a different element to the team. I know how hard I am to play against, I can feel it. I know people don’t like playing against me. It’s worked for me how I’m doing it. I have zero doubts when it comes to playing football.”
Come on Anthony, don’t be so hard on yourself. But seriously, Gordon’s infectious self-belief suggests he might just be the sort of fearless player that could swing a crucial phase of a game England’s way.
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“A lot of people have used ‘frustration’ about my minutes (for England) but that’s the wrong word,” Gordon went on. “It’s more of a want, a want to play, a want to perform on the biggest stage. That just comes from my self-belief. I feel like I can impact any game in a positive way.”
Even though there is a growing number of pundits and fans who believe Gordon should start the last-16 match in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, the 23-year-old is likely to have to make that impact from the bench.
(Getty Images)But whatever his role, Gordon has reminded his team-mates that there are no more excuses. He said: “We’re into the knockout stages so there is no more 'next game, next game'.
“Now we really have to step it up and be the team we can be. That’s on us, we’re the ones on the pitch. We’re the ones who can make an impact and change things. As players you’ve got to take responsibility and accountability.”
That Gordon came out and gave chapter and verse about his calamitous cycling incident to the media gives an indication of his self-confidence and he is delighted that there are calls for him to be playing on Sunday. He went on: “Six months ago it would have been crazy because the opinion of me compared to now is very different. I’ve worked hard to be in this position so I want people to be calling for me.”
When Gordon is not crashing his bike at the England camp, he is immersing himself in ‘The Art of Winning’ by All Blacks legend Dan Carter. Gordon said: “I’m reading a book by Dan Carter at the minute and there is a quote he uses in the book. Pressure is a privilege.
“It is … it means people are expecting things from you, which, in return, means they think you’re good at what you do.”