Newcastle United have recently struggled without Bruno Guimaraes, but Callum Wilson has disputed claims that the Magpies are reliant on the Brazilian.
The 25-year-old was sent off in the Carabao Cup semi final win over Southampton, earning himself a three-game suspension.
He has missed the recent draws with West Ham and Bournemouth, and will serve the final game of his ban on Saturday against Liverpool. Luckily, Bruno will be back for the cup final at Wembley.
Newcastle have been immense this season, but our record without Bruno in the team is concerning. He has missed five games so far this season, with Eddie Howe’s side failing to win any of them.
That is a major concern, and suggests that Newcastle do not have enough quality to win games when he is not on the pitch.
However, Wilson has played down the impact that Bruno’s absence is having at St James’ Park
Callum Wilson ready to welcome back Bruno Guimaraes
On the latest episode of the Footballer’s Football Podcast, Wilson was asked if Bruno not playing is having a negative impact on the Magpies’ results.
“He’s only missed two games and we’ve drawn four out of the last five,” Wilson said.
“While he has been there we have been drawing as well. I think we have 10 draws for the season so if you work out that he’s only missed two games, we’ve had eight draws with him in the team.
“Yes, he’s a great player but ultimately he’s one player in the midfield. To break teams down you need a whole tandem to keep working in sync and it’s not just him. You need the ball going out wide quicker, and he does switch the ball a lot and travel with the ball and take the ball in tight spaces and things like that.
“He’ll be welcomed back with open arms. It is disappointing to miss him, but I wouldn’t say that is the reason we are drawing games because ultimately we have come a long way.”
Newcastle have actually drawn more than Wilson thinks. It is five draws from our last six Premier League games, with 11 in total from 22 matches. And four of them have been when Bruno has been unavailable.
Newcastle desperately miss Bruno
Wilson is right to a certain extent. We have drawn plenty of games when Bruno has been involved. But he has been a massive miss over the past couple of weeks.
The Magpies have not looked as assured in possession, while clear-cut chances have been few and far between. Bruno is a player who can cut open a defence and keep the ball moving.
It is going to be incredibly difficult against Liverpool without him. But the main thing is that he is back and refreshed for the cup final against Manchester United.
Newcastle are not a one-man team, but Bruno is a key component in the way that Howe’s side operates. And the Toon boss will be keen to find a way of being successful without the Brazil international, in the same way that he now knows how to win without Allan Saint-Maximin – something the Magpies could not do under the previous manager.
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