OPINION
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez will no doubt be mulling over a few difficult decisions after his team’s uninspiring 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Magpies dominated proceedings but were undone not just by a late Luka Milivojevic penalty, but by their own lack of cutting edge. As a result of that profligacy Benitez must seriously consider dropping attacking double act Miguel Almiron and Ayoze Perez for Friday’s trip to Leicester City.
While Salomon Rondon undoubtedly missed the most chances at St James’ Park, they weren’t coming his way via the two men who are supposed to be supplying him. Neither Almiron nor Perez created much of anything against the Eagles.
For Almiron this was merely a continuation of what has been a disappointing run of form after bursting onto the scene following his club record signing in January.
The Paraguay international had a galvanising effect on everyone on Tyneside, not least Perez, but his influence has waned in recent weeks as his performances have steadily declined.
Perez, too, was bright throughout February but has endured a woeful run of games of late. He was mightily ineffective on Saturday in what was his third successive sub-par outing.
With that said, it’s high time that Benitez gave some other players a chance, namely Yoshinori Muto and Christian Atsu. The two international stars deserve an opportunity to show the manager that they can do more than what Almiron and Perez are doing.
The Magpies boss needs to send a send message that makes it clear below par displays will not be tolerated. He must axe Almiron and Perez against Leicester and give Muto and Atsu the chance they deserve.
