It seems Andy Carroll and Dwight Gayle were not happy whatsoever after Saturday night’s 3-0 defeat at Brighton.
According to The Mail’s Craig Hope, both stormed off down the tunnel straight after the final whistle and did not reappear for the warm down, with the striker’s seemingly baffled by their total lack of involvement in a game we never looked like scoring in.
It’s little surprise that the unused duo cut dispirited figures as they had to watch on while a toothless Toon managed just one shot on target, in a game where the Seagulls were in total control from start to finish.
A half-fit Miggy Almiron was given the nod in the false nine role, with goal-shy Joelinton also playing up front in a slightly wider position.
For Bruce to leave two strikers sat on the bench all game shows exactly how much trust he must have in either of them to score a goal. Either that or he’s insisting on playing without strikers when fielding this 4-3-1-2 formation!
Carroll’s record since returning to Tyneside has been abysmal, yes, but one thing we seriously lack right now is fight and the big Geordie gives you that in abundance.
Gayle must also be fed up – especially when Bruce always talks up the fact he tried to sign him yet never actually plays him!
We have almost two weeks to devise a plan that can help us beat Spurs at home. It would be nice if Bruce had them out on the training ground working away at, but instead he’s handed them SIX days off across the next nine if Hope’s latest piece for The Mail is anything to go by!
I read most Toon fan pages regularly.
Very seldom for actual information, usually just for laughs, but this time I find myself in the unusual position of actually agreeing with something that Charlie Bennett has written.
He highlights the fact that Andy Carroll’s goal stats are not impressive. No denying that, though I personally would argue it’s because he only get a handful of minutes here and there, and they get marked down as appearances.
But what he does quite rightly say is that Carroll shows fight.
In the few minutes he got at the end of a few games recently he’s all out to try to make something happen.
In games where opportunities appear to have been endangered species the big lad has come on and at least put his foot through the ball from 25 yards out, something that has been sadly lacking from our players this season.
He pushes forward, challenges for the ball and lays it off well.
Some might argue that he’s not good for a full 90 minutes, suggesting that a full match may be tempting an extended stay in the physio suite.
Personally I would have suggested that Carroll needs at least a full half, ideally in a game against lesser opponents – saaaay Brighton – where his presence, skill and experience might have produced a goal early on, getting us much needed points.
It appears that Bruce is concerned about him pulling a thigh muscle or damaging an ankle, meaning he wouldn’t be available to sit on the bench doing sod all for a few games.
What’s the point of having him available Bruce if you are not going to play him?
Get him out there now. Now is when we need him, when we have nobody else.
What are you going to do? Wait for Wilson and ASM to get fit then play him?
I just don’t get it.
JFA127(Quote)
If we are playing with the false 9 (false 11 in our case) then surely Carroll would be the best fit, Gayle doesn’t cut it for me but its all looking a bit messy..
I don’t like how journalists have to put a huge emphasis on negatives…..if you have genuine information then please share but don’t turn it into sci-fi. We like to real Actual stories/articles not someone reading between lines that they’ve drawn themselves.
Chocobear(Quote)
Six days off with full pay the players must be laping up. How can Ashley say he can’t afford to sack Bruce when he can afford to let the player’s have six day out of nine. Three day’s to get ready for Spurs. Do you no that if we go down the players are on full pay becuause when thy sign contract he forgot to put in if we go down your wages will rejuice.
Alan(Quote)
Farcical ! and totally unprofessional!
Joseph(Quote)