Newcastle United did not enjoy Boxing Day.
Only a few days after being outfought at Luton to continue the kind of away form that has left Eddie Howe scratching his head all season after just one Premier League victory thus far, Newcastle threw the game away against Nottingham Forest.
Despite taking the lead through Alexander Isak’s penalty, Howe’s side contrived to allow former Magpie Chris Wood to score a hat-trick, scoring more times at St James’ Park during that game than during his time as a Toon player.
Indeed, a number of players are looking tired at the moment.
One of those is Miguel Almiron.
The 29-year-old was excellent against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this season and recently scored against Fulham but has struggled since.
According to the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, some frustration boiled over against Forest.
Miguel Almiron: Why Newcastle member of staff punched dugout on Boxing Day
Speaking in a video wrapping up the action he posted on X (formerly Twitter), Hope shared what he noticed from the dugout when talking of Almiron’s aversion to using his right foot, something Newcastle fans have often noticed.
“There was one in the first-half when he’s in on the right-hand channel there, it comes to him on his right and he just doesn’t use it,” said Hope.
“He’s moving his body around into an unnatural position and someone in the dugout in front of us – the Newcastle dugout, I don’t know who – punched the top of the dugout.”
Miguel Almiron: Newcastle star struggling
The purple patch Almiron embarked on last season feels like an awfully long time ago now.
Still, it’s hard to see how Howe changes things soon. Jacob Murphy has impressed at times but is injured, while Harvey Barnes has hardly featured.
Perhaps dropping Almiron and moving Anthony Gordon over to the right flank with Alexander Isak operating on the left and Callum Wilson through the middle is an option.
Tino Livramento could be an alternative too after playing there against Borussia Dortmund but that leaves full-back options short during a difficult time for Kieran Trippier.
Almiron has been frustrating but Newcastle aren’t blessed with back-ups.
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