Many Newcastle United fans have been slamming Joelinton on social media for his horror miss in the second half of our New Year’s Day defeat to Leicester City.
An error-strewn opening 45 minutes from Florian Lejeune had helped move the Foxes into a commanding 2-0 lead by the break, having carelessly squandered possession for Ayoze Perez to score before his clearance led to James Maddison doubling the visitors’ lead.
Chances to find the back of Kasper Schmeichel’s net at the other end of the field were rarely forthcoming, with the Magpies returning to the dressing room at half-time having fashioned just two on-target shots.
Agonisingly, head coach Steve Bruce was forced to make all three available substitutions minutes either side of the interval, and an apparent hamstring injury for Fabian Schar meant we had to see out the second half with ten men.
Yet despite seeing our star Swiss centre-half hobble off, ten minutes later Joelinton could have pulled the Toon back into the game when a moment of rare good play left the Brazilian with a chance to score.
Should Bruce axe Joelinton vs Rochdale in the FA Cup?
Yes
No
Joelinton had wasted a glorious chance in the first half to end his now 18-game goal drought, when Jonjo Shelvey wonderfully picked the forward out and sent the 22-year-old through on goal only to struggle to bring the ball down before Leicester were able to clear the danger.
The Foxes were not needed to deny Joelinton from scoring with our only shot in the second half, though, as our £40million club-record signing horrifically scuffed his effort and watched as the ball rolled harmlessly wide.
Joelinton’s two misses either side of the break were his only shots of the match, while beating Leicester players with two of his four dribbles, completing 12 of his 20 passes without a key ball, won six of 17 aerial duels and registered three tackles, per WhoScored data.
Our 6 ft 1 centre-forward also lost possession 21 times, committed one foul, did not register any attempted crosses or long passes, per Sofa Score statistics, but did win five of eight ground duels.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans slammed Joelinton on social media for his performance against Leicester, particularly his horrific second-half miss…
40 mil down the drain fat Ashley strikes again
— Kieren Wilkinson (@KierenW6) January 1, 2020
Did anyone ask for a gift receipt when we signed him?
— Jonathan Walker (@84WalkerJ) January 1, 2020
Where’s the Joelinton defenders? Wow, what an absolute diabolical excuse of a ‘striker’ he is!
— m@tty (@mjwinning11) January 1, 2020
That move sums up Joelintons Newcastle career to date #Sackthescout
— Tom C (@TomCu86) January 1, 2020
May as well have watched the ball go through his legs
— Ryan (@ryanbeard2012) January 1, 2020
Quite complimentary to that effort using the word ‘scuffed’ Lee haha!
— Nathan Rees (@nathanrees92) January 1, 2020
$40 million can’t even hit a ball
— Solardaze Music (@solardazemusic) January 1, 2020
In terms of his price tag and the hype when we got him, he is the worst signing we’ve ever made
— Robert Brown (@rbrown172) January 1, 2020
Of course it is 😂😂😂
— Daryn (@DeeCeeGee89) January 1, 2020
Disgraceful player! Release him now !
— Nathan◼◻Moat (@nathanmoat) January 1, 2020
Scuffed? I could have farted it towards goal with more force than that.
— Colin Bestford (@Colin_B_1970) January 1, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, the club are ready to sell a £54,000-per-week man in January as part of a vast clear-out at St. James’ Park.