Whilst naming his latest Team of the Week, BBC pundit Garth Crooks didn’t hold back when expressing his views on Newcastle’s finishing against Wolves on Saturday.
Crooks included Hee-Chan Hwang in his team after the South Korean scored twice against Steve Bruce’s side.
However, Ian Wright felt Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow could have done better with the RB Leipzig loanee’s strikes.
Jeff Hendrick, who came on for the injured Joe Willock, equalised for the Magpies before Hwang ensured Bruno Lage won his first game at Molineux.
Newcastle didn’t create a flurry of chances against Wolves
Newcastle’s goal came through the influential Allan Saint-Maximin driving at the Wolves backline and slipping a through ball into the path of Joelinton.
The Brazilian then went in for a 50-50 challenge with Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa which the Portuguese stopper managed to clear.
But the former Olympiacos ace took a blow to the shoulder and struggled to get back into his goal.
Hendrick took full advantage and hit a long-range strike past the scampering Sa off the post and into the bottom corner.
In the 54th minute, Wolves were caught out by a quick Matt Ritchie free kick who played in Joelinton down the left-hand side.
The former Hoffenheim striker’s cross fell perfectly into the path of Saint-Maximin via Ciaran Clark but the Frenchman’s point blank effort was superbly saved at Sa.
That would have given Newcastle the lead and the groans around Molineux could have become that much louder as Lage’s side searched for their first point at home this season.
But despite the chance falling to our talisman, it was only four minutes later that we were punished by Hwang and we never looked like we would get back into the match there after.
What did Crooks say?
Crooks gave a scathing assessment of Newcastle’s ability to convert guilt-edge chances.
Speaking via BBC Sport, Crooks said: “Newcastle couldn’t have finished a fish supper. Granted Jeff Hendrick came on and scored a stunner for the Magpies, but if you can’t take the simple chances you’re going to struggle to win matches.”
The game against Wolves didn’t see Newcastle create that many clear cut chances but in the recent games against Leeds and Watford, Crooks is right, we need to be converting our opportunities.
Considering how easy it is for teams to carve us open, it’s vital we start taking our chances. We need Callum Wilson, who is undoubtedly the club’s most prolific finisher, back and fast.
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