SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 10 hrs 1 min
Upcoming predictions and previews

Newcastle United

Steve Bruce says Joelinton is 'not a natural goalscorer'

:Headline: Steve Bruce says Joelinton is 'not a natural goalscorer': ID:390409: from db_amp
The Brazilian has only scored one goal in 26 Premier League appearances.

Steve Bruce has admitted £40million Brazilian striker Joelinton is "not a natural goalscorer" – and urged the 23-year-old to adopt a more selfish approach in front of goal.

Provided he shrugs off a slight thigh strain he suffered in training, Joelinton will line up for the Magpies at Crystal Palace on Saturday having scored just one goal in 26 league appearances.

Despite retaining faith in his under-fire front man, Bruce believes expectations in the nature of his performances may have to change if he is to go down as a success on Tyneside.

Bruce said: "He has to be a bit more selfish, a bit like a top goalscorer.

"They are totally selfish and all they are interested in is scoring a goal. Joe is not like that, he's more of a team player, and all we can do is keep encouraging the lad.

"Unfortunately Joe will just be measured by one thing – goals.  It has been a huge learning curve for him and at times he's found it difficult but I'm convinced he'll come good and hopefully it's tomorrow."

While Bruce is starting to see the club's injury problems starting to ease, Andy Carroll remains sidelined after sustaining a hip injury during training last week.

Bruce praised the attitude of the striker whose long-term future at the club has inevitably been brought into question given the nature of his latest injury setback.

"I hope he's tough mentally because it's tough for anyone to deal with," added Bruce.

"He has to stay strong. He has been like that all his career and let's hope he can pull through in the next couple of weeks and still have some part to play at the back end."

Dwight Gayle and Yoshinori Muto are both fit to figure against a Palace side who have endured a similarly frustrating season and go into the weekend one place and one point behind the Magpies.

Nevertheless Bruce – who had a short spell in charge of Palace in 2001 – is full of praise for the work being done by his Eagles counterpart Roy Hodgson.

"I find it quite remarkable that at 72 he's still got that enthusiasm he had when he was probably 43, which is unique in itself" said Bruce.

"He is a very good man and a very good coach who has got to the highest level and managed his country, and we have all got the highest respect for him."

amp_article__390409 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2020-02-21 14:09:03:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 16:14:27 :

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.



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