OPINION
Newcastle United fans were like a pack of hyenas on a winter night, ready to tear Joelinton to shreds for his first-half performance against Manchester United at St James’ Park on Sunday. Joelinton failed to have much of an impact in the opening 45 minutes, with the centre-forward way too isolated to be able to get himself into the game. It does not help the Brazilian that Steve Bruce’s pragmatic team selection and tactics do not allow him to be surrounded by creative players, but still, a £40million striker should be able to create some chances for themselves. Joelinton was very good in the air in the first half, if there was one positive about his performance. According to WhoScored, he won seven aerial duels before the break, which was way more than any other player on the pitch. Axel Tuanzebe struggled to cope with Joelinton at times but the ex-Hoffenheim striker was so isolated, so far away from any other attacking player, that those headers he won resulted in absolutely nothing of use.
NothingButNewcastle has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
Does Joelinton think this is a friendly…? #nufc
— Dee (@DeeHayes) October 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/cushdela/status/1180874271230443521
https://twitter.com/JamboMalumbo/status/1180874267669471232
40m for Joelinton is looking like awful business the more you see of him #nufc
— Mitch forster (@mitchforster) October 6, 2019
Weak from Joelinton #NUFC
— Sean (@seaned75) October 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/ToonTomm/status/1180870043292307458
Again joelinton upfront and no one near… too isolated… tack a run and risk #nufc
— Graeme Richardson (@GraemeRchardson) October 6, 2019
