Crooks is spot on – Magpies just ‘can’t do without’ main man Bruno

Bruno Guimaraes proved his value to Newcastle United once again with a vital winning goal at Fulham

Where would Newcastle United be without Bruno Guimaraes? It’s hard to say for certain but in the immediate aftermath of the Brazilian’s late winner against Fulham, we can safely presume that were it not for Bruno, the Magpies would be at least a couple of points worse off.

In a Premier League campaign that looks set to come down to the wire, the difference between a win and a draw in an innocuous fixture at Craven Cottage could be the fine margin on which Newcastle’s hopes of European qualification hinges. Now eighth in the table, but with a game in hand over West Ham above them, a return to the continent next season in some guise or other is very much on the cards.

And if Eddie Howe’s men make the cut, Guimaraes will have played a key role in getting them there. On Saturday, he played the role of match winner, but far beyond that, he has established himself as a presence that the Magpies rely on monumentally.

Indeed, that is the view of BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks, who included Guimaraes in his Team of the Week, stating: “He's been a revelation for the team since he arrived at St James’ Park. The fans love him and his team can’t do without him.”

Quite aside from his four goals and five assists this season, Guimaraes is the fulcrum on which so much of Newcastle’s good work pivots and the stats go a long, long way towards supporting Crooks’ claims of his importance to the Magpies’ cause.

Since Guimaraes made his Toon debut, the club have played 86 Premier League games, with the Brazilian featuring in 79 of them. Their win percentage with him in the side sits at 55.7 per cent. Without him, it is 0 per cent. It is arguably for these reasons, as well as the looming spectre of Financial Fair Play, that Guimaraes is linked with a big money move away from St James’ Park.

But alongside all three points, Guimaraes intervention on Saturday also provided Newcastle with a timely reminder of something that every Geordie would tell you in a heartbeat; Bruno simply cannot leave.