Newcastle’s Joelinton has struggled due to Steve Bruce’s style of play
This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Joelinton has not got off to the best off starts at Newcastle but a slight change in playing style could allow him to start repaying his £40m fee.
On the chalkboard
Big things are expected of the Magpies record buy but the Brazilian has just one goal from 12 league games, so he has been somewhat of a disappointment for his side despite the other aspects of his game.
His lack of goals is even more pressing due to the lack of quality in Newcastle’s other options, with Yoshinori Muto and Dwight Gayle seemingly unfavoured and Andy Carroll often not fit enough to start games.
That is reflected by the minutes they have spent of the pitch this season, with Joelinton preferred by Bruce despite his lack of productivity in the final third.
While improvement is needed from the 23-year-old, his lack of form is not all his own doing. If Newcastle played to his strengths, particularly his heading ability, then that could yield more success and more goals and prevent him from struggling to fit into a system that doesn’t suit him.
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Changes needed
Steve Bruce has enjoyed success through his wingers this term, particularly Allan Saint-Maximin, but so far both him and Miguel Almiron have been unable to create chances for Joelinton.
The striker has averaged 5.2 aerial duels won per game, which demonstrates the ability with he possesses with his head, yet he simply hasn’t been given the opportunity to display his skill in that area.
Newcastle have attempted only 169 crosses this season, an amount which betters just two other teams in the division. That goes some way to explaining why Joelinton has struggled so far, and since one of his best attributes lie in that area, questions should be asked of Bruce.
He has to begin playing in a way which can get the best out of his striker, otherwise spending so much money on him is an almost pointless endeavour.
To bring success via crossing, however, both Saint-Maximin and Almiron will have to improve their quality. They have managed 0.4 and 0.1 completed crosses per game respectively, and with that kind of service it is unsurprising that Joelinton hasn’t produced much.
Until things change and the style is adjusted slightly it is difficult to envisage the Brazilian improving markedly, and therefore the striker may have to adapt and add a new dimension to his game in order to start scoring.