---
title: "Pete Donaldson laments Dwight Gayle contract decision"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2021/03/31/pete-donaldson-laments-dwight-gayle-contract-decision/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Newcastle United News"
published: "2021-03-31T14:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-03-31T14:00:00Z"
---

# Pete Donaldson laments Dwight Gayle contract decision

Dwight Gayle has[reportedly signed a new deal](https://theathletic.com/2482047/2021/03/29/liverpool-finalising-deal-to-sign-ibrahima-konate-from-rb-leipzig/) with [Newcastle](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/03/31/virals-survey-delivers-damning-insight-into-newcastle-fans/)United and pundit Pete Donaldson has branded the decision a ‘contingency plan’ for relegation.

Appearing on [The Football Ramble podcast](https://www.podbean.com/media/share/dir-crar4-da4ccee?utm_campaign=w_share_ep&utm_medium=dlink&utm_source=w_share), Donaldson blasted the awarding of a new deal until 2024 to Gayle.

> It’s a massive Championship contingency plan. It has to be, because they’re not playing him in the Premier League because he’s probably not good enough. I mean, none of the players seem to be good enough at the moment. So they go down and they’ve got a proven Championship-level striker.

Gayle, 31, has only played[333 minutes of football](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-gayle/leistungsdaten/spieler/196522) this season across all competitions, scoring just once in that time.

Furthermore, only once has the [striker completed 90 minutes](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-gayle/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/196522/saison/2020/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/762)in the Premier League, albeit his season has been [badly hampered](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-gayle/verletzungen/spieler/196522) by injury.

### READ NEWCASTLE VERDICT

Whilst the criticism may seem harsh, unfortunately as things stand the facts make Donaldson pretty much spot on.

Gayle has[rarely featured this season](https://www.sofascore.com/player/dwight-gayle/232118) for the Magpies and should, even in Callum Wilson’s absence.

In terms of the striker’s level, Gayle’s 2018/19 Championship season, the frontman [scored 23 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/dwight-gayle/detaillierteleistungsdaten/spieler/196522) for West Brom – markedly better than his highest top-flight return of seven for Crystal Palace back in 2013/14.