SLICKNOTES
KOS galore but Newcastle hold weary Wolves
While a lovely right-foot finish from Miguel Almiron and a pair of reflex stops from keeper Martin Dubravka should have formed the focus of his post-match musings, instead he could only concentrate on the packed treatment room.
Bruce said the situation was “ridiculous”. At Molineux, Dwight Gayle and Paul Dummett became the latest casualties. Striker Joelinton “played on, almost lame”, leaving the veteran manager scratching his head.
Bruce said: “I haven’t known anything like it. I thought it was going to be a repeat of our last home game at Leicester where we lost four players in 12 minutes.
“We lost two in another two minutes at Rochdale and Joelinton played at half-pace today with a groin injury.
“At least he had the courage to play on. He asked to. It’s ridiculous..
“We think we’re getting two or three back and then we go and lose four at Rochdale last week.”
Asked for an explanation at a list that has grown to 13 casualties, he added: “Look, I’ve been around the block a long time. I didn’t replace any medical staff when I was appointed.
“I’ll ask the reasons why. Are we just unfortunate? I’ve got my own ideas. I keep telling everyone it’s the amount of games we have played. And when you play people fatigued – OK we’ve had a free week, but you risk that trouble. “But it shouldn’t be as severe as what we have suffered.” Newcastle’s effort could not be faulted. The Longstaff brothers did a sterling job anchoring midfield, but the visitors were given a huge lift by Almiron’s seventh-minute strike. Having waited a year for a goal from their Paraguayan import, three have now come along at once. Well, not almost immediately, but his third strike in six matches hinted at a far more confident finisher.
Bruce said: “Almiron has lit up Newcastle since he arrived. The kid’s a top player. He’s nine stone dripping wet but he’s a good footballer.”
Wolves, meanwhile, looked short of zip, having already completed 37 matches so far this season.
They were level when Leo Dendoncker sidefooted home Joao Moutinho’s corner on 14 minutes.
That the hosts didn’t take all three points was down, in large part, to Dubravka. He stuck out a right leg to deny Raul Jimenez late in the first half, and performed similar heroics late on, blocking Pedro Neto’s far-post header.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: “Newcastle were well organised and our performance was not so good. We created chances but not the normal amount.”