Despite his match winning performance on his return to the starting 11 at Stoke, BBC Radio Newcastle’s John Anderson feels Ayoze Perez is ‘not the answer’ to our problems up front.
The Spaniard often played as a striker during his impressive start to life on Tyneside, however has more recently been used in a number 10 role. A position that he’s struggled to make his own.
After a spell out of the side, Rafa opted to play Ayoze up top on Monday and it worked well, with the Spaniard grabbing a second half goal to secure a 1-0 win over Stoke.
Anderson isn’t convinced however, having this to say on BBC Radio Newcastle in a firm but fair assessment of Perez following our win:
"Perez for me is not the answer"
Despite Perez's goal against Stoke, our #NUFC summariser John Anderson doesn't think the Spaniard is the solution to Newcastle's striking problems. pic.twitter.com/hBvRB893JH
— BBC Newcastle (@bbcnewcastle) January 2, 2018
Anderson has a point. Perez’s style really doesn’t lend itself to a lone striker role, however it’s quite typical of the 58-year old to find something to moan about after a win – especially when I haven’t seen a single person suggesting Perez is now the answer.
He was clearly deployed in that role to give Gayle and Joselu a much needed rest, so instead of questioning him from, we should just be celebrating the fact that some of Rafa’s rotation paid off on this occasion.
For me it’s just good to see him play well and get back amongst the goals. He’s a confidence player and this will do him the world of good.
It doesn’t distract from our need to sign a striker this month, but whether he’s played up top, off the front or out wide, an improved display from Ayoze was a welcome sight at Stoke.
