Newcastle’s festive period was absolutely woeful, plunging them closer to the Premier League relegation battle.
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Four consecutive defeats, including heavy losses to Manchester United and Leicester City, piled the pressure on manager Steve Bruce.
The defeat to Leicester was particularly costly, as they lost Javi Manquillo, Jonjo Shelvey, Fabian Schar and Jetro Willems, adding to an already growing injury list.
One player free of the injury concerns is Joelinton, but the Brazilian striker is doing little to please fans on the pitch.
The 23-year-old has scored just once in 21 appearances this season, coming in August’s win over Tottenham. Indeed, midfielders Shelvey and Miguel Almiron are even averaging more shots per game than the club’s record signing – who is only getting 1.5 away per WhoScored.
His struggles are symptomatic of the whole team, the Magpies have scored just 20 league goals, only Crystal Palace and Watford have netted fewer.
Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards put forward a defence of the Brazilian, stressing the need to give him a strike partner.
I’m in the minority but still think Joelinton will come good at #nufc He has one good game and then a bad one at the moment but he’s not the first player to struggle for first six months in PL, problem is he’s never been prolific so club need a striker who is alongside him
— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) January 3, 2020
His comments weren’t received too well by some fans, here’s how they reacted:
Definitely the minority. What a waste of 40 million.
— Iain Tranter (@GeordieIAIN) January 3, 2020
So if he has one good game then a bad one he’s had 10 good games up to now, name them please Luke
— The Insider (@theinsidernufc) January 3, 2020
Has one good game then a bad one? He has been absolutely dreadful the whole time here. Forget the price tag, he just isn’t a PL footballer.
— Jonathan Snaith (@Jonny_Snaith) January 3, 2020
£40m and never been prolific. That’s the problem.
— G:Potz (@GazPottsy) January 3, 2020
I don’t think it’s just his lack of goals. His whole contribution is poor – he’s static and doesn’t anticipate the forward ball. I have reserved judgement, but I think the truth is inescapable. Certainly inferior to what we had last season, and that doesn’t help, either.
— Anthony McGregor (@Anth_McGregor) January 3, 2020
We need a proven striker for £40m. The squad is not strong enough to let the record signing gradually get used to the league
— scott (@howay_the_lad) January 3, 2020
It’s his lack of effort and obvious strops in the pitch for me, this attitude never succeeds up here.
— David Amos (@daveanufc83) January 3, 2020
Imagine paying £40m for a striker that isn’t prolific. Mad.
— Scott Daley (@ScottDaley26) January 3, 2020
Can Joelinton be blamed, considering Newcastle’s wider attacking struggles? Join the discussion by commenting below…
