To all the NUFC fans slating Joelinton, I put this to you..

Newcastle’s new number 9 was criticised once again by several fans on social media following Saturday’s defeat at Stamford Bridge.

His form is a concern, but for all those slating Joelinton, please consider this..

His style of play was regularly compared to Roberto Firmino during his time in with Hoffenheim in Germany. Think about that for a second. He’s been likened to Liverpool’s false no.9, yet we use him like he’s an Andy Carroll-esque battering ram.

Does he have to be stronger? Yes. Does he need to stop throwing his arms up in the air and moaning at the referee? Yes. Does he need to do the basics better? Yes. But in all of this, the key issue is his not his ability as a footballer – it’s the way Bruce is using him.

He’s constantly expected to back in, win headers and hold up the ball with no NUFC player within 20 yards of him 90% of the time. He’s under pressure to be a ‘Rondon’ with his back to goal – yet in Germany he was at his best running with the ball facing the other way.

Has he looked like a £40m player? No, but Bruce seems to just see this big 6ft 2′ unit and think “lump it long to him, lads”. He may have bullied the Spurs defence in that 1-0 win earlier in the season, showing his physical capabilities, but we’re making things so difficult for a 23-year-old attacker who’s still adjusting to life as a lone striker in a completely new league.

If we want him to be an out and out striker, we need a number 10 who can not only get closer to him in central areas, but allow him to get into the box as a result. After all, we’re not even creating any chances for him – we’re just lumping it long and expecting him to do something.

The answer isn’t to drop him, it’s for Bruce to earn his stripes as a manager and find a way of playing to his strengths.

I read a stat recently revealing that no Premier player has competed in more aerial duels this season. That says all you need to know and MUST change if we’re to get the best out of him.

He may not be looking like a £40m player – I can accept that – bit it’s a thankless task for him at the minute, making some of the heavy criticism I’m seeing both unfair and short-sighted.

(Fancy writing for us? Get in touch at [email protected] & we’ll get back to you!)

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

3 thoughts on “To all the NUFC fans slating Joelinton, I put this to you..

  1. Finally a voice of reason. How many chances has the lad had to grab a goal since he scored against Spurs?3-4 half chances maybe? Feel sorry for the lad – he clearly has quality. Back to goal and completely starved of service currently.

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  2. Steady on there Olly – this could almost be considered a positive article!

    The video shows us all we need to know about Joelinton. Just like St Maximin he his decision making needs to improve. His passing is poor, he doesn’t know when to stop taking on the world and make a pass and his finishing weak.
    There’s more to football than jinking runs.

    Stick him and St Maximin left and right with Carroll in the middle, or even Gayle and we might have something, but the new boys need to spend time on their decision making.

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  3. To play a right footed Maximin on the left and a left footed Almiron on the right means that both cut inside. No one gets to the by line and no one puts a cross in. The result being that your target men are starved of chances. Not rocket science. Problem compounded by poor wing backs who don’t overlap or cross.

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