Steve Bruce shows support for Newcastle forward Joelinton

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Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce has given his support to struggling star Joelinton and is convinced he can still be a quality player.

The Brazilian centre-forward has just one goal in 22 appearances across all competitions this season since his January arrival from Hoffenheim.

It wasn’t his fault he came for a mammoth £40million (BBC) price tag and he’s certainly not handled that well.

He turned in yet another dismal performance last weekend in a draw against League One Rochdale in the FA Cup third round and his confidence in front of goal appears to be at rock bottom.

Bruce has given public support to him already this season and did the same on Friday ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League.

“The key for any manager is that word confidence, is to try and keep him (Joelinton) in good spirits if we can. That’s for myself and all my coaching staff, too. When you see him train every day and play, we know there’s a player in there,” Bruce said, as quoted by the Chronicle.

TBR’s View:

Bruce has been backed into a corner in certain ways to give Joelinton plenty of opportunities, especially after the club forked out £40million to bring him to St James’ Park.

But after half a season of poor displays in the starting XI it surely may now be time to bite the bullet and drop him to the bench.

The Magpies clearly have huge issues in attack considering no player other than Jonjo Shelvey (five) has managed more than two goals this season.

Newcastle’s ideal scenario should be to sign a new striker this January that can go straight into the team, while Joelinton needs time to restore his confidence and slowly adapt to English football.