Lots of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after one supporter dubbed Joelinton as the club’s ‘most underrated’ player.
The Brazilian signed for the Magpies in a £40million deal this summer, but remains without a goal in Black and White since netting his first for the club against Tottenham Hotspur in August.
He is now on a run of 17 Premier League games without finding the back of the net, and has only assisted a successful effort on two occasions during the same period.
Joelinton was able to direct each of his two shots on target at the weekend as we lost to Everton, but has also failed to force an opposition goalkeeper into making a save on 17 occasions and failed to register a single shot in four of those Premier League games.
One supporter has described Joelinton as our ‘most underrated’ player, though, as the 6 ft 1 striker has often been forced to play as an isolated sole option in attack in a side which regularly has a minuscule share of possession.
Is Joelinton our 'most underrated' player?
Yes
No
The system favoured by head coach Steve Bruce is also used as a justification for Joelinton’s struggles at scoring, having frequently converted his big chances for TSG Hoffenheim last season – the 23-year-old scored seven goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances last season, missing eight big chances, per Sofa Score figures.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to the suggestion that Joelinton is not only underrated, but our ‘most’ underrated player…
Classic case of club trying to be clever sigining players the manager doesn’t know how to use or want. 1 goal is the stat that matters. seems like a genuine guy I don’t dislike him and he did ok yesterday but facts are our attacking players at the club are not scoring enough
— geordie dug (@geordiedug2) December 29, 2019
It’s not interesting, it’s wrong
— Jake Swinburn (@SwinburnJake) December 29, 2019
Big pile of nonsense thread
— Mark Byers (@MarkByersJnr) December 29, 2019
Thought he played well on Saturday. He’s not gunna be a goal scorer. Would suit a 4-2-3-1. It would get our more attacking players on the pitch. But not sure it suits us defensively.
— Jordi Ridley (@mridley81) December 29, 2019
Agreed. The abuse he gets is mad. Can see a decent player in there. A more attacking team and he’s right at home . Probs never be a 40 mil player but perhaps a creative force in a side that desperately lacks it
— SRELLAIN (@SRELLAIN) December 29, 2019
Hes done well last two games and will only continue to get better. Hopefully he’s not thrown as a lonely target ranger ever again.
— bobby martins (@BobbyGoa) December 29, 2019
Joselu > joelinton. Prove me wrong
— Ben whiteley (@Ben98whiteley) December 29, 2019
Rafa said he wasn’t worth the money .. so far Rafa been proving right
— nick (@nicholasnufc1) December 29, 2019
People aren’t even watching how he plays, they are just slagging him off for not scoring, easily man of the match yesterday
— DavidBaty-81 (@vomero81) December 29, 2019
In other Newcastle United news, a £40k-p/w Toon man has been linked with a January exit.