JOELINTON NEEDS TO TOUGH IT OUT – BRUCE
NEWCASTLE MANAGER SAYS BRAZILIAN STRIKER MUST EMBRACE PHYSICAL BATTLES
Joelinton must toughen up at Newcastle United – and get used to “physical confrontations”.
That’s the view of Steve Bruce, who believes the striker is starting to find out how “difficult” it is to play Premier League football.
Joelinton was quiet quiet by Adam Webster and Dan Burn in Saturday’s goalless draw against Brighton and Hove Albion.
And Bruce said: “He's got to adapt. They're used to the physical confrontations the two of them – big Dan Burn and Webster played in the Championship.
“There's nothing wrong with it, but I think big Joe will understand how difficult it is in the Premier League, and he's starting to find out.”
Reflecting on the result, Bruce said: “After the first half, it's a point gained.
“We've got five points. We're one below par – that's the way I see it at the moment, and that's the way it's been, so we're under no illusion how difficult it's been.”
Bruce felt that Fabian Schar was his team’s man of the match after his spectacular goalline clearance.
He said: “I haven't seen it back, but I believe it was pretty spectacular, wasn't it?
“On a disappointing night, I thought he was our standout performer. I thought he was excellent. I was more interested in the ones we missed.”
Newcastle United are reportedly interested in a move for Denmark international Yussuf Poulsen – but face competition from Premier League rivals Everton.
The Toffees have run extensive checks on the towering frontman in recent weeks as Marco Silva looks to arrest the decline at Goodison Park.
But, according to the Express, Newcastle have a “long-standing interest” in the player.
The report states: “Poulsen, 25, has emerged from the shadow of Timo Werner.
“He has earned a reputation in Germany as a 6ft 4in battering ram and Leipzig know that they could be battling to keep hold of him.
“Poulsen could offer Silva something completely different to his other frontmen which is why more checks are being made over the next few weeks.
“But they could face competition from Premier League rivals Newcastle United, who also have a longstanding interest in him.”
Newcastle have Andy Carroll and Joelinton as striker options, with Dwight Gayle out injured.
Reported Newcastle target Rony Lopes looks set to be shown the La Liga exit door after a nightmare first few months in Spain.
The former Manchester City winger signed for Sevilla from AS Monaco in the summer for around £23million.
But the move has not gone as planned, with Portugal international Lopes seeing just 11 minutes of top flight football since his arrival.
‘Joe will understand how difficult it is in the Premier League.’ - STEVE BRUCE