Newcastle United striker Joelinton is yet to get off the mark since moving to St. James’ Park.
Newcastle spent big on Joelinton in the summer, but there are already question marks forming over the Brazilian.
The target-man has struggled in his first two games in a Newcastle shirt, and missed a sitter during Steve Bruce’s side’s 3-1 defeat to Norwich City.
Joelinton was presented with a great opportunity to open his goalscoring account for Newcastle, but headed wide from close range.
There are already concerns forming that Joelinton may not have what it takes to carry the goalscoring burden for Newcastle this season.
But Ritchie has insisted that the powerful forward has looked sharp in training so far.
“He’s new to this league and like anyone who comes over here, he has to get used to it,” Ritchie said.
“He is finding out what it is all about but we’ve already seen in training, he has a lot of qualities and I am sure we’ll see them on the pitch before too long”
It would be foolish to write off Joelinton already, but Bruce does need to work out a way to get him more service.
Joelinton has been so isolated in his first two Newcastle matches, which has made his task of impressing even more difficult.
Newcastle are next in action against Tottenham Hotspur, in what looks like yet another difficult game.
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