OPINION
Steve Bruce has struggled to find an attacking formula which works during his opening couple of months at Newcastle United.
The Magpies’ boss has already changed his system only six games into the Premier League season, something which hasn’t exactly delivered rewards.
Newcastle have won only once under Bruce, and although that was an impressive 1-0 win against Tottenham, they haven’t been able to replicate it against the likes of Brighton and Watford.
The major problem surrounding Bruce’s side is their ability to score goals and they have failed to score more than one goal in a single game so far.
After only scoring four goals in their six games, the Magpies have the joint-worst record in the Premier League alongside Crystal Palace.
Record-signing Joelinton has only scored once since arriving from Hoffenheim in the summer, whereas his partner, Miguel Almiron has yet to score since joining in January.
Former Newcastle midfielder, Nolberto Solano, has pointed out that the tactics used by Bruce are starving his forward options the chances to score because of the defensive gameplan.
“The problem for them is the defensive mentality that I’ve seen so far,” he told the Chronicle.
“They started five defenders there and then went to a five-man midfield, both tactical outlooks were to absorb pressure rather than attack.”
Solano is spot on with his verdict, and Newcastle must look to start prioritising their attack rather than hoping they will keep a clean-sheet and steal a winner in games.
There are nine teams in the Premier League that have conceded more goals than the Magpies, and Bruce must start to force an attacking mindset on his side over his solid defence, and give them the chance to express themselves going forward.
Defender Fabian Schar is currently averaging the same amount of shots on goal per game as Almiron with 1.3 [WhoScored], a stat that proves Newcastle desperately need to adapt their style to create more chances.
Bruce will surely share the same worries as Solano, with their defensive game threatening to continue starving whoever they name upfront.
