Former Newcastle United striker Mick Quinn has demand that six Newcastle players that they need to improve after the club’s poor start to the season.
The Magpies have claimed just two points from their opening six Premier League games, scoring just four times. And Quinn feels the club’s midfielders need to step their game up.
“The likes of Kenedy, Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Christian Atsu, Jacob Murphy and Jonjo Shelvey need to be whipping the ball into dangerous areas, or playing through-balls to release the forwards,” he wrote in the Chronicle.
“I’d also like to see those players getting into the box themselves too and to start contributing goals of their own. They have the ability, but it’s about showing it more regularly.”
Quinn also detailed the approach he would take against Leicester City on Saturday: “If I was conducting the pre-match teamtalk for Newcastle United this weekend, I’d have a simple message for the players: Release the handbrake. I understand and respect Rafa Benitez’s pragmatic approach away from home but, at St James’ Park, Newcastle need to be attacking teams, and I’m sure he recognises that.”
OPINION
Quinn is correct, Newcastle need their creative players to start turning up. Shelvey has missed a few games this season and is only just coming back into the team, but the rest of the players have no excuse for their poor form. The wingers in particular have been dreadful, with Kenedy in particular disappointing after his strong loan spell at the club last season. Rafael Benitez has been setting his team up negatively this season, but that’s because of the quality of the opposition they’ve been facing. But with Leicester at home on Saturday, the Magpies have to go out and try to get three points. They have to attack the Foxes, who have been inconsistent themselves, otherwise the criticism of Benitez will only increase. Quinn is correct in everything that he is saying, but particularly in his assessment of the club’s creative players. Joselu and Salomon Rondon have looked lost up front this season, and the team’s midfielders are to blame for that.
