SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 12 hrs 3 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Steve Bruce: 'Joelinton needs to develop a selfish mentality'

:Headline: Steve Bruce: 'Joelinton needs to develop a selfish mentality': ID:444463: from db_amp
The £40million Brazilian has scored in his last two games at St James' Park.

Steve Bruce has urged Newcastle's record signing Joelinton to develop a selfish streak to establish himself as a Premier League marksman.

The £40million Brazilian has endured two difficult seasons in England since his arrival from Hoffenheim, but two of the 24-year-old's paltry return of five top-flight goals have come in his last two home games, a 2-2 draw with Tottenham and a 3-2 win over West Ham.

As he prepared his side for Saturday's trip to reigning champions Liverpool, head coach Bruce said: "He's had it tough, let's be brutally honest, and I think a lot of that comes with the price tag, which he didn't set.

"He's young and he's had two years in the Premier League now, so I think he's learned exactly what it is and how difficult it is.

"What he's got to try to get into his psyche is that mindset that no matter who you play as a striker, you're judged on goals. He's a really good team player, but he has to get that selfish mentality that a striker has.

"The one thing with Joe is he'll never give up, and in all of it where a lot of people would have 'taken the water in' as you used to say, he stays with it.

"He trains every day, he works hard for the team, he's popular in the dressing room, really popular, so I hope that he can get that mindset to score more often because we've just seen him score two in two and we've been waiting for him to do that for a long time."

Joelinton's goals have helped boost the Magpies' survival hopes with back-to-back wins over Burnley and the Hammers having taken them eight points clear of the drop zone with six games remaining.

However Bruce, acutely aware that the next four fixtures are against Liverpool – where they have not won since 1994 – Arsenal, Leicester and Manchester City, insists their tally of 35 is not yet enough.

Asked if they were almost there, he replied: "How many do we need? I don't think 35 is enough, although it has been enough in the last couple of seasons.

"We've got six games left, we've got some really tough games ahead starting with Liverpool tomorrow, but I don't think 35 is enough, so I still think we need at least another win."

Bruce will at last have in-form Frenchman Allan Saint-Maximin available at Liverpool after his recovery from the ankle injury which promoted his premature exit last weekend.

amp_article__444463 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-04-23 11:53:30:
html db last update - 2021-05-05 01:40:50 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Steve Bruce

Click here for more stories about Newcastle United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .