According to The Athletic’s Chris Waugh, Newcastle scouts believed Joelinton’s “outstanding” displays for Hoffenheim came when he played ‘wider, deeper or with support up top’ – not as a lone striker.
This comes from scouting reports from head of recruitment Steve Nickson, making a mockery of the fact he’s not only been so isolated but tasked to lead the line on his own as our big new number 9.
There can be no doubting the fact he’s not been good enough and has failed to show the quality you’d expect from a £40m Brazilian and club-record buy, however this really does make you wonder why he was signed to play in a role he has so little experience in.
Here’s an intriguing snippet from Waugh’s latest piece for The Athletic:
“The Athletic has also learned that early scouting reports from head of recruitment Steve Nickson detailed how Joelinton often played wider, deeper or with support up top for Hoffenheim – with many of his performances described as “outstanding” within them – but rarely as a lone centre forward. Yet Newcastle signed him as such.”
Just look at this clip below, showing him at his best for Hoffenheim when breaking from deep or picking up the ball and driving from wide areas:
As we state in the tweet above, he seems to thrive when he has the game ahead of him and space to drive into – not with his back to goal with no player within 30 yards of him (as he’s often found at NUFC).
He needs to up his game, but these comments and the clip above highlight how poorly he’s been managed since he made a big money move to England.
Bruce played him wide of Andy Carroll at Burnley and, without him pulling up any trees, there were signs of improvement, with him almost bagging a brilliant assist after muscling Erik Pieters to the floor, driving forward with the ball and whipping an inch-perfect cross into Dwight Gayle’s path; only for him to miss.
Hopefully Bruce can learn from this and find a way to get the best out of our big-money Brazilian. The only issue is, who then plays up top and how does he fit in when Saint-Maximin and Almiron are fit?
Relentles anti-Bruce rhetoric.
Bruce did not buy Joelinton. He wasnt given any money to buy a proper number 9 and until Carroll is fit he has no choice but to play Joelinton there!
Almost every article is tinged with your anti-Bruce waffle because you still cant accept you were wrong about him. You desperately want Bruce to fail….
You are so transparent Olly…
Realist(Quote)
It’s not exactly news or a revelation is it?. It’s been discussed on this site since we bought him
PremAndUp(Quote)
I want Bruce to fail? I’m a Newcastle fan first and foremost and travel back every weekend to see us play, so I can assure you that is not the case.
Was I angry and worried by his appointment? Yes, and the fact we happily allowed Rafa to walk is still a travesty, but I’ve been the first to admit I was wrong and praise Bruce during our brilliant run of results of late.
As for Joelinton, this isn’t an attack on Bruce at all. It’s the decision we made to sign someone who impressed in every area BUT lone striker…yet play him on his own up top anyway.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
This is the first I’ve heard about scout notes that say Steve Nickson thought he was outstanding in a deeper / wider role – not as a lone striker.
Yes people have suggested he often played in these roles in Germany, but from this it sounds like the club were aware he wasn’t an out and out no.9…..yet we made him that anyway.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
I’ve been saying this since we bought him. He is an attacking midfielder who we bought to play as a centre forward and the reason he is struggling is because he is being played up front on his own.
In his own words he plays deep bringing in other players into the play and his heat map last season was predominately between the half way and 18 yard lines.
It’s a travesty that we let Rondon go then brought in a midfielder for £40 million to play up front, the decision making at this club is ridiculous and it’s nothing to do with Bruce, he was just happy to get the player (which was bought by the club) the only blame he can have laid at his feet is that he continues to play Joelinton up front but even he has seen the light and put him deeper where he plays best.
The club has needed to buy a striker on a permanent since we sold Demba Ba and it is criminal that the club hasn’t addressed this.
mactoon(Quote)
What the f**k does blue waughell know?
Pinocchio(Quote)
Signed up just to comment…
Pretty poor article if I do say so. Signs of improvement v Burnley? Hardly. He’s a poor player, and it’s unfortunate for us the fans who have been forced to put so much hope into him without warrant, Joelinton himself who is not at fault for being a 45m pound player, and the club who will without doubt persevere with him based on said price.
If there truly were a good reporter around, they’d investigate this deal, because not a thing about it looks sound. I’d be the least surprised person on earth if we actually paid less than half of the reported amount on him. And if we did, well, Ashley and Charnley are even dumber than I’d already believed
mattyNUFC(Quote)
I’m no expert, but irrespective of the position joelinton plays, the one thing that stands out to me Which let’s him down his his first touch. The ball always seems to bounce off him. For what it’s worth I think Bruce is doing a good job with players he has at his disposal. The defence looks better than it has for ages.
John(Quote)
Looks every inch a 40m signing on the video
Vince Charlton(Quote)
I think Bruce needs to pack his bags. I just don’t understand 5 across the back, so negative! Bruce really doesn’t have a clue. Not just Bruce, some very lazy players on the pitch, they would find it hard to get into any championship side…
Stephen TULLIN(Quote)