Moving Joelinton out wide could solve his Newcastle woes

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How do you solve a problem like Joelinton?

The striker has one goal to his name, with his confidence shot to bits. Despite being recalled to the starting XI against Southampton, Joelinton was unable to justify Steve Bruce’s faith in him.

Meanwhile, Andy Carroll influenced the game off the bench, picking up his second assist in two games. Then you’ve got Dwight Gayle on the bench, likely desperate for a chance up top.

But with Newcastle’s left winger Allan Saint-Maximin likely set for a spell on the sidelines, an opportunity might have opened up for Joelinton.

While he was signed as a striker and handed the number nine shirt, he hasn’t always played through the middle. At times in his Hoffenheim career, he played out wide as a creative player.

If Saint-Maximin is ruled out of the Burnley game, Bruce is going to have to make at least one change to his side, with Christian Atsu the most likely player to come in. However, a lot of supporters will want Carroll to start over Joelinton.

Instead of drafting Atsu in, Bruce should consider playing Joelinton out wide, with Carroll taking Saint-Maximin’s place in the starting XI. It would take the goalscoring burden off of Joelinton, but also allow him to continue his adaptation to Premier League football.

With Newcastle’s forwards struggling for goals, the pressure on Joelinton’s shoulders is growing by the game. He clearly knows how to find the back of the net – he couldn’t miss in the warm up against Southampton. But leading the line in the Premier League, the 23-year-old isn’t even getting chances.

Moving him out wide might give him more space, and he can see how Carroll leads the line up close and personal. It’s certainly an option that Bruce should explore ahead of the trip to Turf Moor.