Many Newcastle supporters have been bemused by comments from Steve Bruce that Joelinton needs to play alongside someone up front rather than being a lone target man.
The Brazilian has been a much-maligned figure since he made a club record £40m move from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2019. Alan Shearer has been critical of the Magpies for both giving him the number nine shirt and also handing him the responsibility to be their leading marksman, claiming the striker had been ‘royally shafted’ by the club during his first season in English football.
However, in recent weeks there have been signs that Joelinton could have finally found a role in the team, with the 24-year-old starting to form an effective partnership with Callum Wilson up front. The Brazilian has become more of a creative influence as a result and has now registered an assist in each of their last two Premier League matches (Sofascore).
That has seen him boost his average for key passes per game to 0.7, whilst he is also averaging 1.3 shots per game (Sofascore). Commenting on the striker’s recent upturn in his press conference ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Leeds tonight, Bruce revealed that he thinks Joelinton enjoys having someone to play off of in the final third rather than being isolated as a lone centre-forward.
Newcastle fans react to Bruce’s comments on Joelinton
Many Newcastle fans were keen to point out that it should already have been clear to Bruce some time ago, while others questioned whether he had been scouted properly by the Magpies in the first place.
https://twitter.com/jordanallan0/status/1338845968066895872?s=19
Ahhh, the Joelinton conundrum…🇧🇷
Only took 18 MONTHS to realise something they would have noticed was obvious, had they even bothered to scout him properly.
This literally proves that the Club did not watch him thoroughly enough before signing him. #NUFC https://t.co/aV5os9MiTu
— 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗻𝗲 #NUFC (@ToonMouthTyne) December 15, 2020
It’s only taken you 18 months to realise that, well done Bruce!! https://t.co/HnyENe6Cyw
— Jord🏁 (@nufcjord_) December 15, 2020
It has taken Bruce this long to realise this, it's been well over a year… 🤦 #NUFC https://t.co/1ccNsS99K5
— Alice (@Ambnufc9) December 15, 2020
Learnt a lesson…. We've had him for a season and a half and Bruce sees him every day give or take!!!
— B (@BLOOD202) December 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/AWM__1981/status/1338836614768963586?s=19
It's as if they never saw him play before joining.
— nufc_seb (@nufc_seb) December 15, 2020
