Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is happy with his striking options.
Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce has told The Mirror that he’s happy with his strikeforce, and won’t be signing another forward – potentially ruling out Andy Carroll’s potential move.
The Magpies have brought in Joelinton, and Bruce – somewhat surprisingly – feels like his attack is now ready for the Premier League.
Bruce claims he has five strikers at his disposal, and that’s somewhat baffling. Joelinton is one, and whilst Yoshinori Muto and Dwight Gayle are strikers, they have little success to speak of in the Premier League.
Bruce also appears to be classing Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron as strikers, which is kind of bizarre, given their lack of experience in such a role.
The decision leaves Newcastle with one centre forward to speak of in Joelinton, and it’s for that reason that overlooking former Magpies ace Carroll is something of a mistake.
The Northern Echo recently reported that Bruce is keen on signing Carroll, even if only on a pay-as-you-play deal to bolster the Newcastle attack after his release from West Ham United.
His new comments hint that Carroll won’t be signed though, and whilst he’ll have hope given that he’s a free agent and can sign outside of the transfer window, it’s not looking good for him and his emotional return to St James’ Park.
Adding an experienced Premier League centre forward to ease the burden on Joelinton would be wise, given that he’s still young and inexperienced, and heading into his first Premier League campaign.
One injury to Joelinton would leave Newcastle short of a physical centre forward. Muto and Gayle can’t play that kind of role, and by ignoring a deal for Carroll, Newcastle and Bruce risk leaving themselves well short in attack.
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