Loads of Newcastle United fans have been tearing into Joelinton for his “dire” and “ineffective” performance against Aston Villa on Monday night.
The Brazilian, signed in the summer for a club-record £40million, started at Villa Park for what was his 13th-straight inclusion in Steve Bruce’s opening line-up and remained on the field until the 72nd-minute when replaced by Dwight Gayle.
Bruce was forced into making the change to his sole striker midway through the second-half as we strived for a route back into the game, after goals by Conor Hourihane and Anwar El Ghazi put Dean Smith’s Villans ahead.
No Toon player attempted as many shots on goal as Joelinton despite the switch, with the 23-year-old Brazilian trying his luck on three occasions – the third-most shots in the game outright – but without directing any on target.
His lack of sharpness upfront far outweighed the brief glimpses of skill he demonstrated in Birmingham, where his major contribution to proceedings as we lost 2-0 came via a range of headers in our box.
Joelinton won 63% of his aerial duels on Monday, per WhoScored data, only DeAndre Yedlin won a higher percentage for the men in Black and White.
Along with his three wayward efforts on goal, Joelinton completed 11 of his 15 passes, two of which were key balls, along with completing two dribbles shortly before being taken off.
Who should start at striker vs Man City?
Joelinton
Carroll
Gayle
Saint-Maximin
Here are some of the messages shared from fans lamenting Joelinton for his performance…
Il never understand what was going through Ashley’s head when he agreed to pay £40 mil for Joelinton. So many better options for that amount of money #nufc
— Disillusioned Mag ⚫⚪ (@LeazesEnd1892) November 25, 2019
Joelinton isn’t good enough I’ve tried to defend him but won’t make it here support or no support id drop him to the reserves pal had a chance yesterday messed that one up Bruce wants Bowen from Hull I can see why he wants the lad he’s rocking it up for the tigers
— john_NUFC42 (@john_nufc42) November 26, 2019
If Steve Bruce wasn’t so grateful to be offered the NUFC job, there is no way he would agree to that Joelinton transfer. Bruce would have ate him for breakfast when he was playing.
— Alan Coleman (@AlanColeman86) November 25, 2019
Joelinton is dire. Almiron can’t hit a barn door. Drop them both.
— Rich (@RetrojetRich) November 25, 2019
Could someone please investigate @nufc and the signing of Joelinton @fa @UEFA @premierleague????
— Craig (@GiarcNE40) November 25, 2019
The only difference between Joelinton and Joselu was the £36m difference in transfer fee…..#NUFC
— SS MAGS (SS Doesn’t stand for Screenshot) (@BigStanHibbert) November 26, 2019
Almiron and Joelinton need to be dropped.
— Jay (@JosefK2020) November 26, 2019
It’s mental how Rafa didn’t want to sign Joelinton. It’s almost as if he knew what he was talking about ????
— Kriss⚫️⚪️ (@KrissNufc12) November 26, 2019
Shelvey not interested one bit. Joelinton, 40 million quid. Not worth 40 quid
— Jon Corker (@JonCorker1) November 26, 2019
How many times did we take the safe option of passing it out to the wing rather than being decisive and taking a shot at goal? Apart from the first 5 mins of the second half we looked toothless. Joelinton poor to say the least. #nufc
— Simon Blood (@siblood) November 26, 2019
That front three just doesn’t work together for me. We are missing Ritchie, massively. Start Carroll and drop Almiron and Joelinton. 40m for him and FAT MAN reckons he will get a return on his investment ????. He’s probably worth quarter that now. #nufc
— Mitch forster (@mitchforster) November 26, 2019