Newcastle United’s somewhat lucky point against Southampton at the weekend at St Mary’s Stadium predictably gave fans plenty to talk about.
Whether it was the ongoing wait for a Premier League victory in the season of 2018/19, our reliance on goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, Southampton’s greater dominance of chances or at least the fact that the players somewhat dug in and took what could be a very important point come the end of the year assuming we at least make more of a fight of it in the months to come under manager Rafa Benitez – if he doesn’t walk.
There are some telling go-to’s when it comes to fans expressing their frustrations following games in recent times though and sometime striker Ayoze Perez has definitely become a target for ire.
The 25-year-old Spaniard has never had the greatest of goalscoring records following his reported £1million move to the club from Tenerife (16 goals in 34 games according to soccerbase.com) as he barely even hits one goal in three games.
In 2018/19 eleven appearances leave him searching for that first goal and following Southampton he was again in for criticism.
5 years of watching Perez float around, not asking for the ball, not tackling and missing sitters. I can do more. #nufc pic.twitter.com/O6IrTCAQh1
— Marv (@Marv_1892) October 27, 2018
Honestly 3 players playing decent Muto,Fernandez and Dubravka idk wtf the rest are doing, I’ve played w random people at park and have had more chemistry and understanding of one another then I see for us ????
— SimpleMan (@TheArrogantPrik) October 27, 2018
Then don’t play that system
— Stewart (@costanza55) October 27, 2018
Instead of a simple pass to Kenedy who would been in on goal, Perez does stepovers and passes too late! Can’t take much more of him! #nufc
— Highland Geordie (@NUFC_Oscar86_) October 27, 2018
This describes him for every match he's ever played in. He's always been the same.
— Tony (@TonyBongeordie) October 27, 2018
Can someone please explain to me what Ayoze Perez does for us? #nufc
— Phil (@sparxx) October 27, 2018
Benitez substituted him in the 68th minute and with over an hour on the pitch he didn’t register a shot on target but given he’s now predominantly used in midfield, that does give him some excuse if you want to be more generous.
The above shows plenty aren’t though.
Not consistent in attack and can’t boss a midfield or be the creativity we need, it’s no surprise fans are questioning what he brings to an already dull party.