Magpies lack that creativity in attack
STRIKERS CUTTING ISOLATED FIGURES
STEVE Bruce’s job at Newcastle United isn’t getting any easier as the 0-0 draw with Brighton heightens fans’ fears about the direction of the club.
Players were seen asking what was going on in the first half, and even where they were meant to be playing.
After years of watching the detailorientated approach of his predecessor, Rafael Benitez; the comparative chaos of the Bruce era so far is unsettling.
The key concerns surround creativity and the lack of potency in attack, especially for home games.
Club-record buy Joelinton is cutting a more frustrated figure with each game that passes. Isolated once again against Brighton, it’s perhaps no surprise the Brazilian has scored just once for the Magpies.
The £40m man had three shots on goal but United have still yet to use him at his best, with the lack of service a major problem.
Joelinton had just 30 touches – fewer than goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and better only than Miguel Almiron’s 24 of the 11 United players who started the game – as United failed to bring him to play.
The Magpies have struggled desperately to break opponents down at home – and given they have now faced Brighton and Watford, alarm bells should be ringing about the toothlessness at St James’ Park.
The Magpies managed just four shots on target against Brighton.
Joelinton is not a striker who hangs in the six-yard box but the Magpies are struggling to create good opportunities close to the opposition net.
Most of their efforts have come
■■
10.2 – in the Premier League (Norwich and Sheff United).
■■AVERAGE SHOTS ON TARGET PER GAME: 3.2 –
in the Premier League (tied with Wolves, better than Sheff United).
within the 18-yard box (58%). That was evident on Saturday with Almiron and Joelinton both shooting on goal. The other 42% of shots came from outside of the box.
The Magpies have taken just one shot in the six-yard box all season.
A striker of Joelinton’s pedigree would gladly welcome the service which would provide this. If the plan is to use the Brazilian as a target
1,459 – in the Premier League (Burnley).
■■ TOTAL SHORT PASSES COMPLETED: 1,335 –
in the Premier League (Burnley).
■■ PERCENTAGE OF PASSES AS LONG BALLS: 17.68% –
man, it has not worked yet. So far this campaign, United have struggled to impose their will on opponents on their home turf.
In home games, they have had a league-lowest 41% average possession, 11 shots on average and only 74.7% average pass completion, both of which are the fourth-lowest in the league.
The fact United sit top of the
23% – Premier League (Norwich).
■■ TOTAL DRIBBLES: 93 – in the Premier League.
league in terms of spending most of their time in the middle third of the pitch during home games – with 49% – and have the lowest average possession this campaign so far only goes to highlight the struggle for creativity.
It is something that must be addressed if United are to be considered a fearsome opponent at St James’ once more.