Newcastle United have struggled for goals all season under Steve Bruce, finding the back of the net just once more often than lowest scorers in the division, Crystal Palace, who are this weekend’s opponents. Furthermore, the Magpies’ most-used front trio this term, Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin and Joelinton have found the back just four times between them. The 23-year-old Brazilian striker has come under particular intense scrutiny of late, having gone 22 top-flight matches since he scored his one and only goal in the Premier League, the winner against Tottenham Hotspur.
Speculation suggests that Bruce’s patience is wearing thin with Joelinton and against Crystal Palace at the weekend he could drop the striker in place of Dwight Gayle. However, instead of showing the Brazilian the cold shoulder, the Newcastle boss needs to offer support and should deploy the pair alongside one another.
When with Hoffenheim, Joelinton operated as a second striker and very rarely led the line on his own in the centre of the pitch, which may be part of the reason he has been isolated so often this term. During the festive period, where Newcastle’s injuries piled up, Bruce was forced into playing Andy Carroll alongside the Brazilian. However, their incredibly similar traits, such as utilising their strength to hold up play, meant the duo were rendered ineffective.
Against his former club, Gayle could be the ideal partner to place alongside Newcastle’s £39.6m record signing. The Englishman can get closer to the 23-year-old than wingers have been able to so far this campaign and the switch should give Joelinton more opportunities to get into the box and touch the ball, something he only managed on three occasions in the previous game against Arsenal. At present he is often rendered ineffective in attacking situations, predominantly receiving the ball within his own half with his back to goal but help from Gayle could change that, and the support may bring the best out of both players.
Given he is yet to find the back of the net in his nine appearances for Newcastle United this season, starting Gayle on his own is unlikely to provide the solution to the Magpies’ goalscoring woes. But giving the pair support may bring the best out of both misfiring strikers.
