Loads of Newcastle United supporters have been reacting on social media, after the Daily Star claimed that Steve Bruce is set to axe Miguel Almiron for the Magpies’ trip to Leicester City this weekend.
Bruce has vowed to make changes after being held to a goalless draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, during a game that saw Almiron hauled off in the 73rd minute having spurned a number of chances to score his first goal in England.
Almiron has been short of confidence since the Premier League campaign began in August, and the 25-year-old’s struggles to create as well as score goals has made his name a key candidate should Bruce alter his preferred line-up.
Jonjo Shelvey’s spot in the opening squad is also up for debate, with Ki Sung-Yeung or Sean Longstaff in the running for a starting call-up, should the North Shields-born midfielder be deemed fit to play after recovering from the ankle injury which sidelined him earlier in the campaign.
But with doubt residing over Allan Saint-Maximin’s hamstring, it is suggested that Fabian Schar may be drafted into a reinforced midfield should Almiron also sit out, with Federico Fernandez slotting in at centre-half.
Bruce still envisages Newcastle’s former club-record signing Almiron as a key weapon at his disposal, with the £21million man’s blistering pace a trait he is keen to tap into for his counter-attacking tactics.
Saint-Maximin’s hamstring is continually being assessed ahead of Newcastle’s trip to the King Power Stadium on Sunday to face Leicester, as he reported feeling tightness in it following his return against Brighton.
While Almiron is yet to score a goal for Newcastle or pen an assist this season (TransferMarkt), the Paraguayan has also only played two key balls in his six top-flight outings this term (WhoScored) – far less than Christian Atsu (nine in four games) and Joelinton (eight in six).
Here are a few of the reactions shared to the Daily Star’s suggestion that Bruce is considering axing Almiron from the side that starts at Leicester…
So he should cant be going off reputations anymore Shelvey should be dropped aswell
— ToonMatic2019 (@aggaz2009) September 25, 2019
Can’t say I blame him. I haven’t seen anything of Almiron that makes me excited when he gets on the ball.
— The Ipswich Magpie (@IpswichMagpie) September 25, 2019
Almiron vastly improved our attacking play under Rafa, he gave us more balance and opened up the field for us. Bruce is playing him far too deep or he’s having to come deep because Bruce’s tactics leave him and Joelinton so isolated.
— Matt Brown (@MattJB8818) September 25, 2019
Even when Almiron isn’t on top form, his energy drags people out of position and creates space that wasn’t there… who else do we have that does that?
— Spin Flint (@SpinFlint) September 25, 2019
If Rafa Rondon and Perez were still here he would be on 10 goals by now
— Nathan Stevenson (@pelicanrice) September 25, 2019
Reports suggesting Miguel Almiron will be dropped versus Leicester.
Who for???
We literally have no players
We’ve loaned Murphy and Aarons.
We’ve sold Perez.
Atsu is already playing with ASM injured.He literally has no competition for his place.#NUFC
— The Geordie Boot Boy (@BootGeordie) September 25, 2019
Didn’t RAFA drop mitro for JOSELU WOW what a good managerial decision that was
— rhys stephenson (@RhysStephenson) September 25, 2019
Mismanagement.
— AshleyMustLeave (@jamesbutler84) September 25, 2019
Should be the Person who can’t get the best out of him who gets the boot
— Mark (@mja1980) September 25, 2019
Actually feel sorry for the lad, looked lethal in a structured system last season, just looks lost in this years free for all. Should of tucked that chance away last week like, no excuses there.
— Ross Miller (@RossMiller86) September 25, 2019
Imagine us dropping Almiron in the state we are in the Brighton performance was Bruce’s fault, nobody else tells the team to park the bus v the great Tika Taka Brighton
— Andy (@Andy_Newc) September 25, 2019
Almiron has become the new scapegoat, not only for some supporters, but now for the Head Coach it seems.
If only Steve Bruce could pay for the Brighton performance, with his job.
— Gallowgate Original (@GallowgateO) September 25, 2019
