Dean Ashton expresses sympathy with Joelinton despite slow Newcastle start

Add as preferred source on Google

Former West Ham striker Dean Ashton has expressed his sympathy for Joelinton despite the record signing making a slow start to his Magpies career.

Ashton said on Sky Sports News, 11:50am, 24/10, that the striker is working hard but needs more by way of support so he can display his best form.

He said: “I feel sorry for him. You can see from his heatmap he is getting through a lot of work. How is he meant to do it all on his own? He’s probably tiring himself out, which Newcastle fans will love from him in terms of his work-rate.

“When you’re starved of service, you get down on yourself, lose confidence. The way he took the goal against Tottenham was different class, that touch, his timing – so there’s a great player there. He needs more help, he can’t do it on his own.”

TBR’s View – Joelinton needs to be better but he also needs more help

Salomon Rondon was able to bulldoze chances for himself last season but he is an experienced, workmanlike Premier League striker.

Joelinton was always going to need more patience, and in the meantime he mneeds more service and support.

Steve Bruce promised to play a more attacking style but it hasn’t materialised yet. Perhaps he wasn’t expecting Joelinton to be as raw as he has been.