Newcastle United’s recent Champions League defeat to Marseille highlighted the fragile state of the Magpies’ away form this season. After a promising display against Manchester City at St. James’ Park following the international break, Eddie Howe’s side suffered a sobering reminder that they are still struggling to find consistency on the road.
Hparvey Barnes continued his fine run, scoring an early goal to give Newcastle the lead, but the team failed to capitalise on the advantage. Marseille quickly levelled the score through Pierre-Emerickqq
Aubameyang, who added a second shortly after, leaving Newcastle unable to respond effectively. The match exposed weaknesses in both defensive cohesion and attacking fluency, with Nick Pope and Anthony Gordon particularly under scrutiny.
Pope, who joined Newcastle from Burnley for around £10 million in 2022, has been a mainstay in goal. This season, he has started all 12 Premier League fixtures but has struggled to maintain clean sheets, going five matches without one.
The recent error against Marseille, where Pope rushed off his line and failed to secure the ball, was costly and amplified calls for a reassessment of his role. Fans and pundits alike are questioning whether the 33-year-old goalkeeper should remain the undisputed first choice.
Aaron Ramsdale, signed on loan over the summer, has been patiently waiting for an opportunity, and Howe may be wise to consider rotating his goalkeeping options to restore confidence in the backline.
The manager has already started to make tactical adjustments through players like Malick Thiaw and full-backs Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento, and a shake-up in goal could be the next logical step.
While Pope’s struggles were glaring, Anthony Gordon’s performance against Marseille was equally concerning. The former Newcastle Player of the Year was deployed as a makeshift centre-forward, a role ill-suited to his natural position as a left winger.
The impact was minimal; Gordon only completed 14 passes, attempted just one dribble, won one of five duels, and created a single chance while hitting the target once. Critics noted that his presence in the central role stifled the attack and left him isolated.
The Shields Gazette awarded him a 4/10 match rating, reflecting his ineffectiveness throughout the contest. Gordon has shown glimpses of potential on the continental stage, particularly in European fixtures, but he has struggled to replicate that form domestically.
With Premier League clashes against Everton and Tottenham Hotspur approaching, the England international will need to rediscover his confidence and productivity if Newcastle are to improve their results.
Given his current form, there is a growing argument that Howe should consider rotating Gordon out of the starting lineup. As one of Newcastle’s most valuable assets, there is a dual rationale: boosting team performance in the short term while also potentially considering a future transfer to reinvest in the squad.
Meanwhile, Harvey Barnes’ consistent excellence has raised the bar for other attacking players, emphasizing the need for Gordon to elevate his level or risk losing his starting spot.
Both Pope and Gordon have the talent to influence games significantly, but their recent displays indicate that a temporary benching could serve as a wake-up call, motivating them to perform at their true potential.
Despite these individual struggles, Newcastle remain competitive in the Champions League, with three wins from five group-stage matches. Securing a place in the top eight for automatic qualification is still achievable, but the team must address inconsistencies, particularly in away fixtures.
Howe’s willingness to rotate his squad and make strategic changes, whether in goal or attack, could be pivotal in achieving that goal. Both Pope and Gordon are experienced professionals capable of bouncing back, but the timing of such adjustments is critical if Newcastle are to regain momentum in the league and European competitions.
Anthony Gordon – 2025/26 Performance Stats
| Statistic | Premier League | Champions League | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches (starts) | 7 | 5 | Total appearances in each competition |
| Goals | 0 | 4 | Reflecting limited impact domestically |
| Assists | 0 | 1 | Contributions in creating chances |
| Touches per game | 35.4 | 39.2 | Involvement in play |
| Shots on target per game | 0.7 | 1.0 | Reflects attacking threat |
| Accurate passes | 14.7 | 16.4 | Passing productivity is low |
| Chances created | 1.0 | 0.4 | Opportunities generated for teammates |
| Dribbles per game | 1.4 | 1.4 | Limited success in taking on defenders |
| Ball recoveries | 2.6 | 3.2 | Defensive contributions |
| Tackles + interceptions | 0.7 | 1.4 | Defensive involvement |
| Duels won | 49% | 41% | Challenges won in offensive and defensive duels |
Newcastle must address these issues quickly. The combination of underperforming key players and inconsistent away form threatens their ambitions this season. Strategic rotation, particularly involving Pope and Gordon, may reinvigorate the squad, instill confidence, and provide a platform for improved results both in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Eddie Howe faces a critical decision: maintain faith in established players or take decisive action to ensure Newcastle’s ambitions remain intact.
