Newcastle United’s season arguably went from bad to worse in Saturday’s clash at St James’ Park with Brighton and Hove Albion.
Losing the game 1-0 to Beram Kayal’s goal just ahead of the half-hour mark, the result didn’t match the performance as manager Rafa Benitez’s side dominated possession with 68% of the ball and the side did plenty with it, having 27 attempts at goal across the 90 minutes.
Problem was, we only got six on target, which although still more than the visitors managed, they got the breakthrough and our best efforts were thwarted by the opposition’s goalkeeper.
With the clear failure being a clinical edge in the game, it was probably no surprise that some fans did turn on the attackers as they vented on social media as obviously, goalscoring, or a lack thereof, has been a consistent issue so far in 2018/19 for the side and we slip to the bottom of the Premier League table being the third joint lowest scorers so far.
Who would you play in front of them ? Perez is our biggest threat
— Brian and 427 others (@BrianShanahan) October 20, 2018
I don’t know how Ayoze Perez is a professional footballer. #NEWBHA
— Andrew Payne (@A_Payne14) October 20, 2018
Also, Ayoze Perez continues to be an absolute abomination. As does Diame.
— Marc Jobling (@MarcJobling) October 20, 2018
Ayoze Perez Should Never Play For Newcastle United Again.
— J.T (@JTNUFC94) October 20, 2018
Ayoze Perez must have some serious dirt on Benitez! 90 mins again #effinguseless #stealingaliving
— Craig Pratt (@Phantompratty) October 20, 2018
The frustration is palpable and whilst some will feel it’s over the top or in the moment, plenty of others will feel it’s more than justified and not just limited to poor performances this season in isolation.
With other players hardly in form up top, the question of who else is a very valid one and you wouldn’t be surprised if it’s at the forefront of Benitez’s mind either.