Miguel Almiron is still yet to score for Newcastle United despite being one of the team’s star performers, but with striking options low, the midfielder cant afford to be goal shy any longer.
The attacker saw a penalty saved in yesterday’s 2-1 defeat to Preston North End, and yet another chance to end his scoring drought for the club.
The Paraguayan failed to find the net in ten matches for the Toon last season and so jumped at the chance to score his first goal against Preston.
New signing Joelinton had won the spot kick, but Almiron was quick to grab the ball and claim it for himself.
The moment said a lot, and made it clear that Almiron himself is beginning to get anxious about his scoring duck.
Yesterday’s penalty was meant to be a monkey off his back, but the resulting save can only have damaged his confidence.
Until yesterday he’d been unlucky, but now supporters must pray his goal woes do not become a mental block.
The loss of Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez means the Toon now have no proven Premier League goal scorer in their ranks.
If Newcastle want to survive this season, Almiron must improve his striking instincts.
Who will score Newcastle’s goals this season?
Last season fans turned a blind eye to Almiron’s bad fortune in front of goal, and had good reason too.
His electric pace and dribbling put opposition on the back foot time and time again and he undoubtedly rejuvenated a struggling side.
Without him, it’s unlikely Rondon and Perez would have had the success they did.
Any suggestions Almiron was a waste of money due to his lack of end product were laughed off by supporters as his impact was clear to see.
But with the three amigos down to one, there’ll be less patience with his shooting efforts this season.
As arguably the teams best attacking player, there is now huge pressure on his shoulders to find the back of the net.
It’s maybe unfair on the Paraguayan, as he has always been more of a playmaker than a goal getter.
In 19 games for his country he’s never scored, but did manage two assists in their Copa America campaign this summer.
New signing Joelinton will help share the burden, but the Brazilian’s own statistics show that goals don’t come easy for him.
Unless anymore signings come through in the next few weeks, they really are the Toon’s only hope up front.
They showed glimpses of a promising partnership against Preston, but it remains to be seen how effective they will be in the PL.
Almiron to end drought sooner rather than later
Excitingly, this season will be Almiron’s first real chance to play in a more forward, creative role.
He played out of position in all of his ten matches last season under Rafa Benitez, which undoubtedly contributed to his lack of goals and assists.
Although he hasn’t scored yet he came close numerous times last season.
However due to his defensive duties and placement in left midfield, those chances came few and far between.
This season that hopefully won’t be the case, provided the midfield can offer decent support to himself and Joelinton.
Almiron is the type of player to relish pressure rather than succumb to it and you’d back him to score a fair few goals this campaign.
But he desperately just needs one for now, and he needs it soon, as it wont be long before it becomes a serious talking point amongst the fans.
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