After being pointed out by the TV cameras following Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Leicester, fellow Newcastle fans have reacted furiously online to Ayoze Perez’s total lack of tracking in the moments before their 86th minute winner.
As the clip from BT Sport’s post-match coverage shows below, Perez failed to react to the run of Okazaki – leading to a desperate challenge that lead to his own goal and their late winner.
@NUFC_Index @AyozePG it's unbelievable! https://t.co/nltXSHkJnj
"more than ever"?! pic.twitter.com/ZTg75CDEVi
— Stephan (@st_prm) December 9, 2017
He was a tad unlucky with the nature of the own goal in the end, but his failure to track the Leicester players in touching distance of him is inexcusable.
He’s not a defender, but this is a basic error from any player playing professional football, made even worse by the fact he’d only been on the field for 15 minutes (so he couldn’t have been out on his feet – not like that would’ve been an excuse!).
Perez generally presses well from the front when used in the number 10 role, but given Rafa’s often stuck with him this season for his ‘tactical awareness’ or ‘defensive positioning’, it’s quite incredible him to make such a basic error here. Fans aren’t happy and understandably so!
Perez man. Not tracking leads to a desperate challenge
— Paul Watson (@paulkw) December 9, 2017
Error strewn defensive performance again. Midfield non-existent and subs poor. Perez not tracking Okazaki was just negligent.
Wednesday’s big now.
— tf NUFC podcast (@tfweeklypod) December 9, 2017
Thought Perez was unlucky but it's his own fault, lazy as **** tracking for that goal. So much ***** in the team! #NUFC
— kyle potterton (@kylepott93) December 9, 2017
It seems fans have also found his pre-match Twitter post a bit rich given his total lack of reaction in the above clip.
IT'S MATCHDAY! Today is a very very special day for this Club, for the Club who is giving me the chance to make my dream come true… Thanks for all @NUFC!? Today more than ever… #HowayTheLads ⚫⚪⚽ #125YearsUnited @adidasfootball pic.twitter.com/kAB7YEQsve
— Ayoze Perez (@AyozePG) December 9, 2017
Not good enough. But in his defence, he was the only one to fall into that bracket on Saturday!
Smileypooemoji
Ayoze switching off shows a lack of focus that training needs to address. Yet again it’s an example of a player failing after being aye out of position and a match lost by a manager picking the wrong team.
I love benitez, I think he is the right guy to have there. I hate his selections at times, especially when he plays ppl out of position and leaves our best players on the bench.
In rafa we trust. He needs to learn to trust jojo and mitro though, just saying.
Jamie V(Quote)
I agree Jonjo should play, as Hayden was terrible, watch the video again though, yes Perez should have reacted more quickly but he did react and was unfortunate, however what about the four walking back with no reaction on the half way line including the left back Manquillo.
Don’t blame Rafa working with what he has got and maybe picking the best who train during the week from a championship team. Positives Gayle, negatives Hayden, Manquillo, Ritchie and Lejeune he needs to learn like Robert Huth if in doubt kick it out instead of ***** footing about.
Team wednesday
Darlow,Yedlin, Lascelles,Clark, Mbemba, Atsu,Hayden(just) Jonjo , Merino(no. 10), Murph and Gayle
Decca63(Quote)
Not being funny but why does clark follow lejeune to close down vardy for the third goal leaving okazaki free. Vardy was going nowhere clark stays central cuts off the cross simple as that ffs schoolboy stuff is killing us.
Toon Army247(Quote)
Good point I agree and lejeune had opportunity to put it out and failed miserably.
Decca63(Quote)
This is nothing new Perez does this every game it’s just people notice it now because it cost us big time
Disco dai(Quote)
Perez should just pack his bags and leave. He is the only player l know who trips over a blade of grass and then spits his dummy out when he doesn’t get a free kick.
The sooner Lascelles and Dummet get back the better. As for Leicester’s first goal is Darlow trying to be Gary Sprake (Leeds & Birmingham) pre Premier League days! Oh dear careless hands.
Colin Johnson(Quote)
Didnt help with Clark going across to cover the Invisible man
Darren(Quote)