Sports
Howe must bench “really poor” Newcastle man who’s regressing like Joelinton
Eddie Howe will pray his up-and-down Newcastle United side can put their woes on the road behind them when they make the short trip to arch rivals Sunderland on Sunday.
Away from home this season in the Premier League to date, the Toon only have one win to shout about, which was an emphatic 4-1 success over Everton.
Worryingly, though, if you are remove the joy of that win on Merseyside, Newcastle have drawn three and lost three from their other six encounters away from St James’ Park, meaning Sunderland will be confident they can get one over on their hot-and-cold near neighbours tomorrow.
Howe will be pondering what changes he can make for the crunch clash at the Stadium of Light, with Joelinton looking likely to miss out, in part due to injury, but also after he looked ropey yet again this season, versus Bayer Leverkusen.
Joelinton’s regression this season at Newcastle
Journalist Craig Hope has revealed that the Brazilian limped off versus Leverkusen with a groin issue and will now be assessed, as to whether he can play some role in the Tyne-Wear Derby.
A couple of seasons back, losing Joelinton for such a huge tie would have been seen as disastrous, with the 29-year-old coming into his own in Newcastle black and white during the 2022/23 season, when he collected six goals and four assists in Premier League action.
That same campaign, the vibrant number seven would also average a ridiculous seven duels won per Premier League contest, as per Sofascore, but it’s clear now – when not taking a trip down memory lane – that Joelinton has significantly regressed.
From 13 games so far in the league this season, Joelinton is yet to pick up a single goal or assist, with his duels won count also taking a beating, as seen in him averaging just 4.1 per contest.
Against Leverkusen, even if injury did bring his game to a halt, Howe would have likely taken him off, anyway, with the out-of-sorts South American only winning two of his nine duels, as he cut a lethargic figure throughout.
With Howe needing all of his players to be on their A-Game against the Black Cats, it would be an almighty risk to stick with Joelinton, with injury troubles impacting him.
Joelinton isn’t the only instantly recognisable first team face who has regressed as of late, however, as this other well-established presence fears he might be dropped for the Tyne-Wear Derby.
The “really poor” Newcastle star who could be dropped
Even if Newcastle’s away form this season was sparkling, they would find it hard to get the better of a Sunderland side surprisingly competing near the top of the division, after promotion.
The midfield battle could be crucial as Newcastle try to pick up their first win at the Stadium of Light since 2011, with the energetic Lewis Miley perhaps preferred to Joelinton as the young Englishman prepares to do battle with Granit Xhaka.
Additionally, Sandro Tonali could also potentially be chucked to one side in another bold alteration centrally, having been “really poor” last time out, in the view of journalist Luke Edwards.
While the Italian would cover a vast 11.5km during the match through runs alone, which included this fast-paced sprint back late on after he slipped, Tonali didn’t always cut an assured figure in Germany, which is unusual for a man once noted as being “world-class” for his ability on the ball by reporter Carlo Garganese.
Tonali would come off at the end of the 2-2 draw with possession given up a costly eight times, with the number eight arguably at fault for Alejandro Grimaldo’s late equaliser, as he lackadaisically went about his business, while the Spaniard found space to slot home.
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Tonali’s numbers this season |
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|---|---|
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Stat |
Tonali |
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Games played |
21 |
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Minutes played |
1549 mins |
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Goals scored |
0 |
|
Assists |
3 |
|
Games dropped to the bench |
5 |
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Sourced by Transfermarkt |
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The worry will be that Howe is overusing Tonali when he ought to give him a rest, much like he has done with Joelinton, who is showing clear signs of rust now in the heart of the Newcastle midfield, with the former AC Milan battler being dropped to the bench for five games already this season, subsequently.
Against Everton and Burnley when he was rested, Newcastle would still manage to come out on top and win the contests, with Howe now potentially preparing to ditch Tonali again, owing to his comments that the former Serie A star looked a “little bit tired” against Kasper Hjulmand’s hosts.
Both Joelinton and Tonali have largely been mainstays under Howe in recent seasons, but if dropping the leggy midfield duo for the game at Sunderland enhances the overall team unit, both players should miss out, as a real team effort will be key if the Toon want to gain bragging rights over the Black Cats.
Newcastle star could miss Sunderland game after new injury “issue” emerges
An ill-timed blow for the Magpies.
