Steve Bruce has admitted that Joelinton is thriving from that “bit of freedom” he’s been given in recent weeks – accepting it “suits him” to play deeper, not as a number nine.
It’s sounds ridiculous when he was signed as a striker and handed the no.9 shirt, however it’s always been the case that the Brazilian is far more suited in a slightly withdrawn role where he instead drives from deep.
After all, this is exactly how he made a name for himself at Hoffenheim – and we saw that on Saturday night as he put in his best performance at St James’ Park yet from more of a no.10 role just off of Callum Wilson.
Here’s what Bruce had to say after the big man’s eye-catching display:
“I thought Joe was our best player at Spurs.
“I thought he was our best player when he came on at Newport.
“Tonight Allan maybe shaded it but he was very good.
“Not playing as a nine suits him and gives him a bit of freedom.
“He’s added something I’m pleased about.”
It’s nice to see that Bruce has not only praised his display over the weekend but also recognises how much better he was against Spurs and Newport.
As he says, he was our best outfield player in both and appears to be benefiting from the confidence those two goals at Morecambe gave him – not to mention the fact it helps when he’s played in his best position!
He still has a long way to go in a black and white shirt and some will still be very much unconvinced he’ll ever truly come good, however it’s been good to see him show what he’s capable of in recent weeks.
It’s amazing what confidence and playing a talented young player in their most comfortable position can do!
Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE
A season and a bit … Bruce is a genius
Can`t stand him .. didn`t want to play for us, didn`t want to manage us .. yet here we are listening to him pretend we`re the love of his life ..
g f(Quote)
Joelinton would be a different player with a ‘Manager’
Bruce has to thank his Lucky Stars that Double-Maximin was bought before he arrived
The old thinking of Bruce has brought Hendrick and the Back Slider Fraser – seeing out their career and not inspiring or what NUFC want
Thank God Bruce didn’t have anything to do with the signing’s of Lewis and Wilson
Bruce isn’t a Manager – please go
KK(Quote)
Ollie did you watch the same game as me ? Joelinton was total garbage, Bruce said he was good at Spurs Morecombe and Newport ?. Maybe its because Morcombe and Newport are his level (and I’m not being disrespectful to those teams) however applying his trade in the Premier league is a massive difference and he just doesn’t measure up to the standard required. Whenever he plays its like we only play with ten men, he is clueless as to where he should be or what he should be doing. Basically he is a disaster and will never be a premier league player, whoever scouted him should be strung up on the Tyne Bridge.
I know people say he is young, its not his fault that he’s poor and their is an expectation on him to perform and repay the £43 million we are supposed to have paid for him. However that excuse doesn’t hold water, you can either play football or you can’t and in his case it seems the latter is correct. Personally if we can’t get rid of him I would loan him out to a league one club to see what hes made off, in the hope that he just might improve. – A forlorn hope I fear.
Magpie1949(Quote)
Garbage? You kidding right?
He was comfortably one of our best players on the night, making runs and tracking back to help out. It seems that you and so many others have already made their minds up about the lad based on him being played out of position all last season and having to adapt to a new country and style of play. Give the lad a chance, he’s still young and given the right coaching and position to play he’ll do alright for us.
CSH(Quote)
Where was Joelinton when Wilson scored from Saint maxs cross.?He was just coming into the penalty area,I am still waiting for him to go forward beat a man then put in a decent shot he is a carthorse.We have 3 better players on the bench.Hendricks is not a wide player he struggles to find a man
Bill Burn(Quote)
CSH YOU said it right coaching for the lad Well that’s not going to happen with Bruce is it, so unfortunately when watching this lad he seems too slow and just dose not get into the right positions for example when Wilson scored his goal like bill burn states he was just jogging into the penalty box
Dave(Quote)