Joelinton has his work cut out if he’s to win over Newcastle United fans, but there’s been clear signs of improvement in 2021.
He may not be the £40m goalscorer we were all hoping for, however he looks far more comfortable playing on the left-hand side and put in another positive performance against Watford on Saturday.
In fact, Sky Sports have revealed that he won more aerial duels (12) than any other player in the Premier League over gameweek six.
This may not be a glamorous stat that gets anyone excited, yet it’s more proof that he’s imposing his size on opposition defences and becoming more of a handful – something he wasn’t doing well enough in his first 18 months in English football.
Here’s the ‘weekend highs’ released by Sky Sports during last night’s Monday Night Football, showing Joelinton top of the pile for aerial duels:
After an assist against Leeds and a dominant display at Watford, we’ll have to hope the big Brazilian can start to add goals to his game, with his ball striking and drive to get into good positions in the box the next hurdle he must overcome if he’s to become a hit on Tyneside.
With Wilson injured and us often reliant on ASM’s magic in his absence, we need Joelinton to add crucial goals to his promising all round play.
Joelinton will never add goals to his game, he is not a natural scorer a bit like Ameobi, he lacks that killer instinct.
If that’s what they bought him for it was another big mistake by the hierarchy.
Joseph(Quote)
He feels comfortable out on the left because that was the position he was playing when our recruitment team scouted him. Whoever decided to buy him as an out and out centre forward after receiving scout reports on a left sided attacking player should be sacked.
mactoon(Quote)
mactoon:
Hear, Hear!
He’s probably a £10 million left sided midfielder at best.
I think it was a pig headed Ashley saying “stuff you Rafa”, it’s my club and I will do what I want!
£30 million extra paid for being an arrogant B*****D.
Joseph(Quote)
Very true. Baffling that we brought him in for £40m and gave him the no.9 when you consider all of the above!
Felt for him in that fist season to be honest.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Also having a manager like Bruce who persisted in playing him up front when it was clear to all of us that it wasn’t working.
mactoon(Quote)