Many Newcastle fans have been reacting on social media to a report by the Chronicle citing a worrying trend, which is derailing our end of season progress.
The report focused on our latest encounter with Brighton, and how lonely Salomon Rondon appeared at the Amex once Ayoze Perez was forced off through injury, having already lost Miguel Almiron.
Our number nine had managed to assist Perez’s eleventh Premier League goal of the season before the Spaniard’s hip injury meant he could not continue, but the Venezuelan could not produce at the same level when supported by Yoshinori Muto and Christian Atsu.
If we are going to be without Perez and Almiron for the visit of Liverpool to St James’ Park at the weekend, we could be in for an even tougher encounter against the title-chasing Anfield natives, given how important Rondon’s link-up play is to our attacks.
In our win over Southampton the last time we played at home, Rondon played the second-most completed passes with 16 of 19, while also completing 75% of his passes in the opposition’s half.
Against West Ham, his completion rate in the Irons’ defensive half was 72%, and then 71.4% at Bournemouth and 68.2% at Leicester. Even in our defeat to Arsenal at the start of the month, Rondon was able to play 53% of his balls in the Gunners’ half. However, that number dropped to just 46.7% at Brighton, which was the lowest figure of any Magpies ace.
When the Chronicle shared their report on Twitter noting Rondon’s ineffective role in our draw with the Seagulls, this is what some of the United fans replying had to say…
It’s called…isolated
— David Forster (@ffdavid60) April 30, 2019
Striker without service played bad. Wow never would have guessed it
— Dylan Turnbull (@DylanTurnbull96) April 29, 2019
That’s because Atsu, Kenedy and Muto are garbage.
— Barrsky85 (@Barrsky85LIVE) April 30, 2019
Luis Suarez and Barcelona struggle without Messi.
— deji adesoga (@done2stay) April 29, 2019
If he doesn’t get the service what do you expect !!!
— John Doe ⚫️⚪️⚫️ (@VeniVidiVici_14) April 29, 2019
A bit harsh eh ? He ain’t Drogba or Henry, that’s why he’s playing for us !
— Chris Munn (@munnwez) April 29, 2019
What do you expect? He’s not shearer of Ferdinand. If he was capable of carrying a team on his own he’d be playing for a top 6 team rather than on loan here
— Martin Johnson (@MartinJohnson10) April 29, 2019
Obviously he needs decent support around him, not bloody rocket science.
— Waaatson (@paul_taylor1) April 29, 2019
Last few games he’s been ineffective. I wouldn’t sign him
— TheGeordieWhisperer (@Number9NUFC) April 29, 2019