Lots of Newcastle United fans have taken to social media to agree with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, after the former Liverpool defender called for Steve Bruce to axe Miguel Almiron.
Carragher feels it is now time for the 23-cap Paraguay international to miss out on a spot in the Toon starting line-up, as his lack of quality is letting the side down.
Almiron’s rapid turn of speed and ability to cause defenders issues when running at full steam is something that Carragher still admires, but the nightmare it can cause opposing players does not outweigh the deficiencies the 25-year-old has displayed.
Bruce had called on Almiron to feature from the off when we lost to Aston Villa on Monday night, in what was his 13th-straight start in the Premier League, yet the former Atlanta United star is still searching for his first goal or assist in Black and White.
“When I watch Almiron, he almost looks like he’s on fast forward,” Carragher said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, via quotes by the Chronicle. “The pace breaking is fantastic, but the lack of quality in front of the goal really let them down, but it was more before they even got to the finish tonight.
“We’re laughing because in some ways we like what we’re seeing in terms of the burst of pace, you think it’s a nightmare for defenders, but I do think it has come to the stage now where Almiron has to come out the team. He hasn’t scored a goal or created a goal in how many games? 23.
“In some ways, I feel a bit sorry for him. I felt that when he came in under Rafa [Benitez] he was trying too hard, but now you’re getting to the stage where you are worried if there is actually enough quality there to be in this team and in the Premier League.”
Should Bruce axe Almiron from the starting XI?
Yes, absolutely
No, he has to play
Across his 13 Premier League appearances this season, Almiron is averaging 83 minutes on the field per game, but has only contributed 1.0 shots per game, 0.7 key passes per game, is yet to create a big chance and has missed a total of four big chances, per Sofa Score data.
He is also only finding a teammate with 33% of his long passes, 22% of his chipped passes, 9% of his crosses, and is only successful with 38% of his dribbles, 46.2% of his ground duels and is losing possession 11.8 times per game.
Here are some of the messages shared in response to Carragher’s comments, as fans took to social media to agree with the former Liverpool defender that it is time for Bruce to axe Almiron…
Wholeheartedly. Joelinton too!
— Cloggsy Goodwin (@cloggsy71) November 26, 2019
YES!!!
— Ange Martindale (@acababes) November 26, 2019
I do now. He needs taken out of limelight for a bit
— Manic Dave (@scully161280) November 26, 2019
100% yes I do agree it’s time for him and Joelinton to be dropped
— ???????????????????????????? ???????????????? (@mickey_marr) November 26, 2019
Agreed. We should give Gayle and Carroll a go. Muto is busted and is another Joselu in the making.
— Uday (@moi_uday) November 26, 2019
Yea! His pace would mean he’d make an ideal impact suband his confidence is shot..not even doing the basics and thats hardly going to improve by him starting against Man City
— Jase (@AngrycatJ) November 26, 2019
Drop all 3 for me especially almiron and joelinton pic.twitter.com/9MpqJeSBTL
— Alex Batey (@BateyAlex) November 26, 2019
100%
— ????????Kyle Povey???????? (@PappaPovey) November 26, 2019
Personally,yes. Drop him and get him out of the public eye for a bit. He needs to get used to the premier league. But every game he plays you can tell he’s low on confidence,and he just gives critics ammo
— Steven (@stevenslack2) November 26, 2019