Dwight Gayle has barely had a sniff this season. The 32-year-old has played just 27 minutes of Premier League football across five appearances. His lone start of the campaign was in the Carabao Cup defeat against Burnley, where he was a non-factor.
His opportunities have actually decreased since Callum Wilson’s serious injury against Manchester United in December. Dwight has played just 1 minute since that fateful day. Newcastle opted to bring in Chris Wood in January and he has started every match since arriving.
Despite his lack of time on the pitch, Gayle hasn’t pouted or been disruptive. In fact, he has used the training sessions to scratch his competitive itch. The striker has routinely topped Newcastle’s training charts according to The Athletic.
Eddie Howe has also revealed that the 32-year-old has played his part behind the scenes saying:
“Dwight’s been very good in his training performances and, quite rightly, deserves some sort of recognition from me.
“He’s someone I respect greatly — he’s a real leader of the group. Behind the scenes, his training performances and professionalism have been of the highest level.
“You have your guys who are playing, but then you have your guys who aren’t playing but are so important to the culture and feel of the group.
“Dwight’s been pivotal in keeping that very positive.”
It’s encouraging to hear that Dwight has risen to the challenge during Howe’s competitive training sessions. While Howe recently proclaimed Gayle to be one of the best finishers he’s ever worked with, he doesn’t seem to fit the requirements of a lone striker in this system.
Gayle’s never hit the ground running in the Premier League at Newcastle. His best spell was at the end of the 2019-20 campaign that was severely impacted by Covid. The poacher ended that season with a stretch of 4 goals in the final 8 matches.
He entered the preseason as Newcastle’s number one striker until a serious knee injury brought an end to that. Steve Bruce convinced Mike Ashley to part with £20m for Callum Wilson. Gayle has started just 4 Premier League matches since.
Dwight is still signed up until 2024 due to the three-year extension he was given last year. It doesn’t appear that he be around next season if Newcastle can find any takers. He has been very professional and his exploits in getting us promoted during his first season will not be forgotten.
194 comments so far
Romford mag
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:29 PM
Comment #1Booosh
Fenham to Chalfont
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:31 PM
Comment #2Agggh back on form like Chelsea Rom
Fenham to Chalfont
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:32 PM
Comment #3Mind you Tom our avatars are small 😆
Romford mag
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:33 PM
Comment #4Ahh bugger
lochinvar
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:34 PM
Comment #5Booosh?
What sort of language is that to use when Lord Michael Hesseltine has joined the blog. One should have said “oh yey” or words to that effect so he feels included.
ToonDarnSarf
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:37 PM
Comment #6Evening all.
Isn’t “booosh” what Little Davey says? Hmmm…
Romford mag
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:38 PM
Comment #7loch
Hoorah ?
Mund
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:38 PM
Comment #8😆
coming home
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:39 PM
Comment #9I new Rom was little davey
😆
Romford mag
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:39 PM
Comment #10Uh oh now I’m little davey 😆
ToonDarnSarf
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:40 PM
Comment #11Saw the debate on Bruno and the name dropping earlier!
I’d truly love to see Bruno develop into a world class player with us as it’s been a long time since we’ve had that and it’s a great feeling but purely from a playing perspective, if it’s a choice between Bruno and KDB for the next 3 years, it would be an absolute no brainer to have KDB. Pogba has all the ability in the world but would destroy squad morale, I wouldn’t swap him for Sean Longstaff.
Romford mag
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:40 PM
Comment #12My first alt accusation ! I’m so proud 😆
Romford mag
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:41 PM
Comment #13And let’s get it right eh !
He says boooossssshhhh 😉
Mund
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:42 PM
Comment #14Rom’s been rumbled 😉
Mund
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:43 PM
Comment #15Remember he’s never wrong…
😳
Raj of Hailsley
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:45 PM
Comment #16What a ball earlier from Modric.
ToonDarnSarf
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:45 PM
Comment #17Rarely wrong…
And I can’t be wrong when I just asked a question… 🙂 that’s why I’m rarely wrong!
Raj of Hailsley
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:47 PM
Comment #18If this goes to 120 minutes then any Fantasy assets are in the mud 😕
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:47 PM
Comment #19Villareal svore
lochinvar
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:47 PM
Comment #20Hooray is good
Real 4 Chelsea 4 some game that.
We are nearly at their level as we were denied a win at Chelsea by the officials
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:48 PM
Comment #21*score
Actually.
Paul Holmes
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:48 PM
Comment #22Got to get used to missing the bus thought I’d killed the blog at 134 anyway night lads and lasses 4.30 alarm and off to sea for the day up the toon
Darnik
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:48 PM
Comment #23I wonder who’s alt the lord is?
Raj of Hailsley
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:49 PM
Comment #24Anyone know why all that seating is covered over?
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:49 PM
Comment #25Later paul
Fenham to Chalfont
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:50 PM
Comment #26Rom,
Nows the time to come clean re the little man 😆
Rodney is on to you 😳
Darnik
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:50 PM
Comment #27Paul
Spot on earlier with your 70/30 statement, if Eddie can get us the 30% happy days
Romford mag
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:50 PM
Comment #28Night Paul 🙂
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:50 PM
Comment #29Some team was docked 5k crowd, matbe it was rm?
Paul Holmes
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:51 PM
Comment #30Clint flick cheers m8
Paul Holmes
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:52 PM
Comment #31Night rom 🙂
Mund
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:52 PM
Comment #32Villarreal have just got a late equaliser against Bayern 1-1 lead 2-1 on agg with an away goal!
Doing alright Emery like
Raj of Hailsley
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:52 PM
Comment #33That’s too late for me, I’ll get the score in the morning.
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:52 PM
Comment #34😉
cleveleysbob
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:53 PM
Comment #35Atletico have been docked 5k seats for next game and have to have a large banner saying no to racism.
Paul Holmes
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:56 PM
Comment #36Darnik let’s hope so m8 got so much trust in Eddie think he knows what he’s looking 4 so lovely to have a manager that only wants the best for us , how times have changed:)
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:56 PM
Comment #37Emry is good.
Wor B
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:57 PM
Comment #38RM Docked 5k attendance for crowd racism in 1st leg
Wor B
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:58 PM
Comment #39Sorry AM not RM
😳
CLINT FLICK
Apr 12, 2022 at 9:59 PM
Comment #40Wor
But no banner/statement?