Steve Bruce thinks Joelinton’s current goal-scoring struggles at Newcastle are down to him trying to find his Premier League feet, according to a Chronicle report, but fans have another theory.
Of course it is always going to be difficult for a player to come to a new country and settle straight in, especially when his family are not with him, but to blame that as the only reason he is not finding the net, is unfair.
The Brazilian arrived with the weight of a Newcastle record fee on his shoulders, and with that pressure, comes an expectation to hit the ground running.
He has not been able to do that, but much of that is the fault of the manager and his tactics, not the striker, who gives 100 per cent effort every week.
He is being expected to play in a role he is not accustomed to, and without any support, or a strike-partner alongside him.
The outcome of which, sees the player exposed and isolated, with no chance of him being given any service to get chances, let alone goals.
Bruce seems to be a master at blaming everyone, and everything, other than himself for the club’s current goal-scoring predicament.
Newcastle fans are astute enough to see why Joelinton is not scoring goals
Most Newcastle fans are not stupid. They can see what is going on, and why Joelinton is struggling so badly.
That is why many fans are still right behind their number nine, and why they are pointing fingers in Bruce’s direction, not the player’s.
Give him the opportunities, and he will score goals. I am adamant it will happen.
But persisting with this misguided tactic of leaving him as a lone target man, and not playing to his strengths, will destroy him as a player. I am equally adamant of that.
A number of Newcastle fans made similar points when reacting to the report on Twitter, which is why they will not have the wool pulled over their eyes about the Brazilian.
Here are a few of the responses:
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