Michael Owen admits that he fears Newcastle United duo Miguel Almiron and Joelinton might need more time to form a decent partnership ahead of their clash against Tottenham.
The Paraguayan and Brazilian forwards were big-money captures in the January and summer transfer windows respectively, but neither have hit the ground running at St James’ Park.
The pair are yet to get off the mark for the Magpies, having played alongside one another in the opening two fixtures of the Premier League campaign.
Owen says that the attacking duo have got to offer a lot more up front for Steve Bruce but is concerned they are some way off forming a decent partnership.
The former Newcastle striker wrote in his column for BetVictor: “Spurs rode their luck at the Etihad at the weekend but played their part in a wonderful game of football and I expect them to have too much quality for a Newcastle side who have disappointed me so far this season.
“The Magpies need more from their expensive signings Joelinton – who spurned a gilt-edged opportunity at Carrow Road – and Miquel Almiron but they may need more time to gel. In the meantime, I can’t see anything other than a comfortable home win.”
Owen has tipped Tottenham to win without Newcastle scoring a goal on Sunday.
Opinion
Newcastle fans might not appreciate what Owen has to say, both because of his time at St James’ Park and because they want to show faith in their attacking talents, but he has hit the nail on the head. Joelinton and Almiron almost have to replicate the form and replace the goals of the departed Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez up front, Rafael Benitez’s preferred pair being Newcastle’s biggest threat last season. The new forward line has obviously not had too long to work together and with Steve Bruce coming in as manager, it throws another spanner into the works. Newcastle used to have a habit of grabbing draws or narrow wins against the big boys of the league but Sunday’s game against Spurs should have them quaking in their boots. They look a long way off the north Londoners right now and you would not put it past Mauricio Pochettino’s men to hand the Magpies a footballing lesson.
