If you were to ask me what position Newcastle United’s Jeff Hendrick plays, I’d tell you ‘midfield’.
But in Tuesday’s friendly against Rotherham, the 29-year-old ended the game up front.
Hendrick started the game on the bench, but was brought on with less than 20 minutes to go.
He began in a more advanced role, but ended up as an out-and-out striker once Dwight Gayle was removed.
The Premier League season starts in less than three weeks, and Newcastle are struggling against lower league opposition, playing midfielders up front.
It’s hardly ideal preparation, is it?
Ironically, it was Hendrick who saved Steve Bruce’s blushes. The Republic of Ireland international netted a late equaliser, powering home a header after Jacob Murphy’s corner.
Forget Callum Wilson, maybe Hendrick should be our new number nine.
Bruce desperately needs some help from Mike Ashley and Lee Charnley. He needs new signings, and he needs them yesterday.
The Toon boss wants a new centre-back and is also targeting a centre midfielder, with Joe Willock linked with a return.
But based on Tuesday’s friendly, he needs more depth up front too.
Wilson and Gayle started the game, but by the time the full time whistle blew it was Hendrick and teenage midfielder Joe White leading the line.
The Magpies have injury problems. Joelinton picked up a knock against York, while Allan Saint-Maximin missed the Rotherham game due to ‘illness’. Their returns should end the Jeff Hendrick experiment.
However, Hendrick playing up top should send a clear message to Ashley.
Sadly, it’ll probably have the opposite effect and force Hendrick to be heralded as ‘like a new signing’.
Regardless, fans are absolutely baffled by Hendrick’s cameo up top.
New Jeff Hendrick position baffles Newcastle fans
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