Newcastle United have lost both of their Premier League games since Steve Bruce took over with Joelinton failing to score.
Michael Chopra has taken aim at big-money Newcastle United signing Joelinton and slammed the Magpies’ shocking performance against Norwich on Saturday, speaking to talkSPORT.
Steve Bruce was already under-pressure before the season even began and a pair of below-par performances haven’t helped the fans warm to a manager they never wanted in the first place.
There were shoots of encouragement despite a 1-0 opening day defeat to Arsenal at St James’ Park but it’s fair to say Saturday’s 3-1 hammering at Norwich City, a result which actually flattered the visitors, has raised fears about what looks set to be a long and rather miserable campaign.
£40 million record signing Joelinton has endured a difficult start, missing a glorious chance against Norwich at 0-0, and Chopra has been less than impressed by what he’s seen from Salomon Rondon’s successor.
“Joelinton, for £40m you expect better form what he’s given so far,” the former Newcastle academy graduate told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast (20 August, 9am), comparing the former Hoffenheim targetman to the departed Rondon.
“He doesn’t really look like a player who’s going to score a lot of goals for Newcastle.
“The attitude (from all the players) was disgusting against Norwich. You expect Newcastle to be doing better, especially with the players they’ve brought into the club.”
Bruce’s attempts to introduce a more free-flowing 3-5-2 system have fallen flat with Miguel Almiron, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles, three players who shone under Rafa Benitez, looking a shadow of their former selves so far. The Telegraph now claims that Bruce is tempted to ditch his new-look formation after just two games and switch to a flat-back four.
On the upside, it can surely only get better. Or stay the same.
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