There’s no doubt that Joelinton has found the start to life as a Magpie one of frustration. Until recently, he’d really been Bruce’s only choice as the lone striker in the 3-4-3 formation.
However, this past month has seen Andy Carroll get to the point where he can play that role from the start. Carroll has proven to be quite effective with four assists in his last five appearances.
But Bruce has continued with Joelinton in the squad. While a lot of that could do with Allan Saint-Maximin being unavailable, he’s trying to find ways of getting the best of the Brazilian.
Bruce initially put the 23-year-old on the left at Burnley, but that didn’t really work. He’s also tried having Carroll and Joelinton as the front two. That worked out a bit better in our win against Crystal Palace. However, Joelinton still did not have much of an impact.
Over the past two games, we’ve seen a bit more from our number nine. At Manchester United, he worked well alongside the pacy Dwight Gayle at least in the first 30 or so minutes.
Then yesterday, we thought Joelinton had one of his best games in a Newcastle shirt when he moved to the right. He had also drifted out there on occasion in our loss at Burnley and put in a great cross to Dwight Gayle late in that game.
The forward’s performance has given Steve Bruce another option to think about. This is what the head coach had to say about Joelinton, according to the team’s Twitter account.
“I think Joelinton played very well. I thought on Boxing Day he went missing but this was arguably his best game since Spurs.
“He’s given me something to think about playing in a wider area.”
This, in the very least, gives Bruce an option. It also allows Miguel Almiron to move back to the left, where he played so well last season.
Bruce will likely still have to tinker with formations and positions while we await the return of Allan Saint-Maximin.
Joelinton also may not be available on New Year’s Day against Leicester City as he picked up a calf injury, so that could lead to more patchwork with the team selection.
Who Was Newcastle's Best Player In 2-1 Defeat To Everton?
- Andy Carroll (38%, 525 )
- Joelinton (15%, 207 )
- Martin Dubravka (13%, 180 )
- Miguel Almiron (11%, 158 )
- Jetro Willems (7%, 94 )
- Fabian Schar (6%, 80 )
- Isaac Hayden (2%, 33 )
- Jonjo Shelvey (2%, 25 )
- Federico Fernandez (1%, 20 )
- DeAndre Yedlin (1%, 16 )
- Florian Lejeune (1%, 12 )
- Dwight Gayle (1%, 12 )
- Christian Atsu (1%, 8 )
- Sean Longstaff (1%, 8 )
Total Voters: 1,378
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33 comments so far
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:11 PM
Comment #1Tsunki I’ve answered your earlier post but me blaming rafa for our woes? The fact that he is beyong criticism to a small hard core of the blog is still worth a laugh but I do think you’re a bit obsessed with turning rafa into a latter day football saint which says more about you than him. Rafa benitez isn’t to blame for our woes and neither is Bruce who is doing a broadly similar job. We could have ancelloti and we might be doing better but nothing radical. We know where the issues are at nufc so stop trying to suggest I think it’s an ex managers fault. Fool.
Lindisfarne
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:12 PM
Comment #2Brucey Bingo for next match 4141:
——————-Joelinton
Almiron—Matty—Saun—Atsu
——————–Hayden
Willem–Fernandez–Schar–Yedlin
——————-Dubravka
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:19 PM
Comment #3i think hes going to have to play 4 at the back lindisfarne. it would be interesting to see joelinton in a 4231 with a more attacking style.
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:20 PM
Comment #4Lindis I still think Joel is hard to fit into the side but hope Bruce can and he seems to be improving him, or the player is learning etc. The big issue is whether Bruce wud have accepted Joel from Nickson or agreed to the move, if he had been manager for longer.
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:20 PM
Comment #5Anglo
I doubt very much that I’ll have any reason to apologise to toon22 so don’t need any wiggle room.
I’d give him more credit for his supposed anti Ashlie if he was taking his message elsewhere and not just on this blog.
He is preaching to the converted already (ad-nauseum) and I reckon that at least 99% of the bloggers on here are not pro Ashlie including JIb.
Nor are there hordes of alts on the blog, they only exist in his mind which is a pity as he has in the past made some good contributions but I feel his obsessions have taken over.
toon22
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:21 PM
Comment #6Jane
Dark matter probably don’t exist
They made it up to make the standard models maths work, there’s loads of missing mass that’s needed
Dark matter is probably mass is other dimensions
😉
c-dog
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:21 PM
Comment #7Schar would be perfect for Arsenal
Great on the ball
Awful defender
toon22
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:22 PM
Comment #8Essex
I’ve seen a constant stream of pro Jabba rubbish here for years now
If anything it’s gotten worse as times gone by
Choose not to see it if you like
toon22
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:24 PM
Comment #9Jane
If said mass is in other dimensions it means the standard model is wrong
I won’t bother explaining the standard model , best just to google it
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:27 PM
Comment #10Mike 4231 could fit us well but much will depend on how the full backs progress and if they are smart enough to assess the game. If we don’t get our 4-5 attacking players working in sync we are looking at relegation. Once rafa went I wanted a more stylish euro coach like the Norwich guy (and said this at the time) and that may still be the medium/long term answer for us. Of course if we had, and we were in the same position as Norwich, half the blog wud be murdering our euro coach because he wasn’t as defensively savvy as benitez.
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #11Essex don’t stray far mate, you always make sense
boss hoggs atm
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:29 PM
Comment #12Haaland to Dortmund for £17m, pleasant surprise to see a young player choose football over money…
cyprus
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:30 PM
Comment #13Joelington seems better on the wing, he done alright a couple days ago.
We still look weak in MF, we need a Ramsey Silva type. Atsu, Gayle can make us some money and can make room for two good players. A new Cisse would do nicely.
Job 1, 15 points. Next year, a couple ASMs or a traore, a playmaker and a small fast CF to play with Andy 🙂
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:33 PM
Comment #14Toon22 why do you keep repeating yourself? We all know your stance. The vast majority agree. But you keep telling us the same thing. I think I’ll just start saying that plastic is bad for sea creatures. Everyone will probably agree, but it might make me feel happy to get the message out there repeatedly. Every day. All day.
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:35 PM
Comment #15toon22
I’ve seen some balanced reasoned comments which do show that Ashlie isn’t the total dark lord you claim he is but then anything that isn’t totally condemning him is blasphemy in your eyes.
I have to say that I haven’t seen this stream of ‘pro Jabba rubbish’ you claim is prevalent on this blog, quite the opposite in fact but as you say ‘Choose not to see if you like’
As a matter of curiosity why haven’t you had a go atNeil and Ed as they have made pro-Ashlie comments, or at least what you term to be pro Ashlie comments.
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:35 PM
Comment #16Plastic is bad for the ocean.
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:36 PM
Comment #17Mike Ashley is not a great owner of anything.
toon22
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:40 PM
Comment #18Essex
Jabba is hated universally
He employs child labour
Paid worked less than the min wage
Has asset stripped our club
He is truly hated by everyone
By you ?
You don’t seem to mind him
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:40 PM
Comment #19probably the most sense toon22 has ever spoken and its about other dimensions 🙂
toon22
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:41 PM
Comment #20He has mugged off and strung along toon fans for 13 years
Has been proven in court to have lied
It’s club policy not to compete
You don’t see any of it ?
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:42 PM
Comment #21New players in, yes. But I do think we should be taking a much closer look at some of our youngsters, worked out OK for Everton!
The next Mike Williamson
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:44 PM
Comment #22thats because jabba has paid bill half a million quid to come on.here and talk.about druidry and what not to.distract the two or three people who arent jib from finding out the truth. and he wouldve got away with it if it wasnt for you pesky frogs.
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:46 PM
Comment #23toon22
Yes I agree with that, we all know his background and lack of moral ethics but please do explain how my criticism of your blathering make me pro Ashlie?
Essex Geordie Bill
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:49 PM
Comment #24TMNW
Very good. 🙂
But I wish you hadn’t exposed my getting that dosh. That’s my credibility b*ggered!
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:56 PM
Comment #25Essex, if you debate with Frog he will see u as an Ashley fan. The poor chap is delerious, or appears that way…. Cue…. We are all sick of jabba… Am I an alt of jib etc
Tyran21
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Comment #26Joel’s best game so far is on the right, Almiron’s is in the mid. Carroll is our best striker. Few central defenders are injured. All signs are pointing to the 4-2-3-1. Seeing how wasteful Gayle is, I would love to see Muto given a chance. If Steve Bruce can’t see it, then I have nothing better to say.
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 4:57 PM
Comment #27Mike ffs keep it qjiet
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 5:00 PM
Comment #28Tyran maybe Muto is crap in training. Rafa didn’t give him a kick and nobody blamed him??
lesh
Dec 29, 2019 at 5:01 PM
Comment #29Essex
In the frog’s eyes, you’re perceived as pro Ashlie because you’ve criticised the critic.
Ron Knee
Dec 29, 2019 at 5:05 PM
Comment #30Rafa begged and pleaded to bring Muto in.
Munster Mag
Dec 29, 2019 at 6:00 PM
Comment #31No Ron, but he praised him when he signed. As with any manager, rafa was well able to sign dross. He just got away with it here because the Toon fans were star struck. So when me and about three more guys highlighted some of his wastage, it didn’t go down well. Its all about balance Ron, eh?
Tyran21
Dec 29, 2019 at 6:12 PM
Comment #32Not sure how Muto is in training, but from his interview he sounds determined. No idea why you bring in Rafa. Rafa is history, I am more concern about Steve Bruce management. The chances Gayle missed was the clearest of all this season, merely saying about time Muto given some game time.
jarra mick
Dec 29, 2019 at 7:49 PM
Comment #33Great to see a full house again yesterday, I reckon we will make a couple of big signings in jan and push for a Europa league place. Got to say we’ve been much better to watch under Bruce than Rafa!