Though Newcastle United’s defending during the opening period of their loss to Huddersfield Town today was certainly concerning, it was the attack that prevented them from getting into the game.
Indeed, while the back four by no means dominated proceedings, they grew into the game and were undone by a moment of magic from Aaron Mooy, as depressing a sentence as that it,
Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez’s front line failed to fire in the slighted – aside from a Matt Ritchie effort in the opening 45 minutesĀ – something that’s proved a sewing motif even in this embryonic stage of the campaign.
Dwight Gayle particularly struggled today. Hauled off not long into the second-half, the man who fired the Toon Army back up to the top was barely involved at all today and Joselu did look like a relative improvement.
With that in mind, here’s a look at how Newcastle United fans reacted on Twitter to Dwight Gayle’s performance.
Praying that gayle dosnt have Cameron Jerome syndrome #nufc
— jamie cooper (@jamiecoop) August 20, 2017
We are atrocious at the minute!! And WTF was Gayle even doing anywhere near a football pitch!! Its going to be a long season!! #NUFC
— RIP Sir Bobby Robson (@PJ_NUFC) August 20, 2017
Don't understand Rafa's tactics today. Gayle and Perez had an abysmal first half. They had to be taken off at half time #NUFC
— Matt Milne (@21Milner) August 20, 2017
Unfortunately, Gayle needs a partner up front, which I can't see happening under Rafa any time soon. #nufc
— Vinay Kanani (@VinayK1991) August 20, 2017
Ayoze, Gayle, Elliott, not good enough. At the least… #NUFC
— Adam Tait (@aboutthetoon) August 20, 2017
I'm also mystified as to why Rafa keeps playing Gayle up front on his own. It's never, ever worked. Ever #NUFC
— Tom Coleman (@tomEcoleman) August 20, 2017
Need to sell Gayle so we can buy a proper striker #NUFC
— Cola (@Percycola) August 20, 2017
I can't see Gayle being more than a bit part player off the bench while we are playing this system #NUFC
— Ambitious Newcastle (@AmbitiousNUFC) August 20, 2017