Many Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after Steve Bruce discussed what his plans are for Dwight Gayle at his pre-Manchester City press conference on Friday, via quotes by the Chronicle’s Ciaran Kelly.
Gayle has been our most rarely-seen player this season, having been awarded just 24 minutes of action in the Premier League spread across three substitute appearances.
The 29-year-old earned a majority of his game time in Monday night’s 2-0 loss at Aston Villa having come on in the 72nd-minute as Bruce benched Joelinton, after the £40million summer signing from TSG Hoffenheim failed to direct any of his three shots on target.
Before that, Gayle’s longest outing of the term came in a five-minute cameo in our 1-0 defeat away to Chelsea in October, while playing just a sole minute in the 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of last month.
The £40,000-per-week striker had missed much of the start of the campaign through a calf injury sustained during the club’s pre-season tour of China in July, and returned to training at the start of October following a warm-weather camp in Portugal.
Bruce is in no rush to offer Gayle a greater role, though, and told reporters on Friday morning: “When he gets his chance, which he will do, you hope he takes it.
“I’ve been very pleased with the contribution the front three have made to [the] team.”
Should Gayle feature vs Man City on Saturday?
Start him over Joelinton
Yes, but from the bench
No, he isn't good enough
Joelinton, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin have played a combined 2,701 minutes in the Premier League so far this season, but have registered just one goal and one assist between them – both coming through Joelinton.
Here are some of the reactions shared to Bruce discussing Gayle’s role…
That should put most professionals on the radar
— John Morrison (@john19551969) November 29, 2019
x1 goal & x2 assists (jo & ASM have x1 assist each – West Ham & Bournemouth). Gayle has to get a chance from the start for at least 5-10 games. Joelinton is worse than Joselu. At least he ran his heart out
— Kevin Nichol (@Kevin_Nichol) November 29, 2019
1 goal and 0 assists between them.
Yeah, it’s an exceptional contribution, Steve. 👌🏼#NUFC
— The Geordie Boot Boy (@BootGeordie) November 29, 2019
Does hard work or goals win games? Bruce hasn’t got a clue
— geordie dug (@geordiedug2) November 29, 2019
😂🤣😂1 goal I’ve also been ecstatic but with laughter
— condorman3 (@robbie3656) November 29, 2019
How on earth could he say that with a straight face.
— John Gorman (@DrogsNavan) November 29, 2019
This bloke on drugs? 1 goal between them and zero assists?! Huge contribution
— Scott McAllister (@ScottMcAll1) November 29, 2019
It’s all well and good to praise them for working hard but the end product hasn’t been there and could condemn us to the drop as a result
— David J G (@DavidJG00615083) November 29, 2019
Play the ‘wingers’ closer to Joelinton instead of as secondary fullbacks and they might contribute even more! Not that it’s hard to contribute more than they already have
— Hedders (@47AEH) November 29, 2019