Newcastle United legend Malcolm Macdonald has raised questions over striker Dwight Gayle’s ability to lead the line for the club, saying “his confidence was shattered” in 2017/18.
Gayle had a quiet season for the Magpies upon their return to the Premier League, netting just six goals in all competitions as he flitted in and out of the side under Rafa Benitez.
Supermac has now laid into Gayle after his poor season, claiming that he could have proved the doubters wrong but failed to do so, with Newcastle needing to replace him this summer.
In a column for the Chronicle, he said: “You look at Dwight Gayle and there are questions over ability. I think he has been without focus all season. He’s done some lovely things but his confidence has been shattered since the start of the season.
“There was a story written at the start of the season which labelled Gayle a good Championship striker but said he couldn’t do it in the Premier League. Did he read it? Who knows but it looked to me that instead of saying ‘I’m going to prove them wrong’, he looked resigned.
“I didn’t see that spark from him that we saw in the Championship. He did a lot of things last season but often more to create for others than score goals.
“I like Gayle, but I just feel he didn’t prove himself to being up to the task. That is a shame, because had he really gone for it, he could have proved everyone wrong.”
OPINION
It is hard to disagree with Macdonald here, with Gayle not doing enough to impress in any way this past season. The 27-year-old had a chance to nail down his place as the club’s number one striker, but instead flitted in and out of the side as Benitez struggled to find a forward who would score on a regular basis. His brilliant season in the Championship the year before had raised hope of him being able to do so at the top level, but it does in fact look like Gayle is better suited to the second tier. Newcastle’s number one priority this summer has to be finding that prolific striker who can guarantee them at least 15 goals over the course of the season. If they manage to do so, then they will be a threat for the European spots next season, but if they fail to do so, then a relegation battle may ensue once again.
