Axing Miguel Almiron will not solve Newcastle’s problem

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There is no doubt Miguel Almiron has struggled for form this season, with the Newcastle man unable to free himself from the weight of pressure from not scoring, that he is carrying.

Steve Bruce is reportedly considering pulling the Paraguayan out of the firing line for the trip to Leicester on Sunday, according to a report in the Daily Star.

But Bruce has a number of conundrums to solve after flattering to deceive for most of the opening weeks of the season.

One involves Almiron, whose form suggests he needs a spell out of the side, but also knows his season could be transformed by a goal, and that he needs to be playing to get one.

But that is just one issue, with bigger problems also staring the manager in the face.

The main one being how to get more out of main striker Joelinton.

The Brazilian has been isolated during most games, and cannot be expected to hold the ball up constantly, while nullifying any goal threat he may carry.

Taking Almiron out of the side, and replacing him, presumably, with Allan Saint-Maximin is not necessarily the answer to that riddle.

It is merely keeping the same issue, but with different personnel. What Joelinton needs is a genuine strike partner.

Bruce may not want two strikers at Leicester on Sunday

Whether an away game at high-flying Leicester is the place to try two up top, is another question, with Bruce almost certainly playing the defensive tactics again, with minimal possession, and hoping to counter the Foxes.

But the problem comes if they concede a goal. What can the plan B be in that formation?

More often than not this season, the easy answer is: there isn’t one.

So while dropping Almiron may be logical for the Paraguayan, particularly if they think his pace from the bench in a more stretched second-half will be a key weapon, the main problem will still remain.

This is, of course, is supposedly why Bruce is being paid handsomely – to solve these problems.

The worry for Toon fans, is that he does not know how to.