Newcastle suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat in their pre-season friendly against Braga on Wednesday night and many fans were angered by the display of striker Dwight Gayle.
Gayle has been the subject of an ongoing transfer saga, with West Brom striker Salomon Rondon potentially heading to Newcastle and Gayle going the other way.
However, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has admitted that he doesn’t know if he will make any more signings this summer.
That’s angered Newcastle fans who don’t think Gayle is good enough for the club in the Premier League.
They want him gone, especially after last night’s display, with one fan saying he “barely touched the ball”.
Another said he was “shocking” while another said if he wanted to be fight for his place in the Newcastle team, it had better be for “waterboy”.
Here are the best reactions to Gayle’s display v Braga:
https://twitter.com/BlackWhiteBarmy/status/1024748184420147206
Gayle didn’t look interested. Hope it’s just because it’s his first game.
— Craig Ferguson (@Fergie_1984) August 1, 2018
It's as clear as day we need a striker. Gayle is a good lad, works hard and was brilliant in helping us get out of the championship but at the highest level he's not good enough. He lacks the intelligence to make the most of his attributes. Sadly it is time for him to move #nufc
— Lee (@lee_wilson1) August 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/IT54483995/status/1024730963107098625
https://twitter.com/FordeHaveMercy/status/1024760529921957890
#nufc Gayle was shocking tonight. Just not good enough for us am afraid. Defo championship level. Force him to leave, don't give him a choice . We must have an upgrade for this season.
— Stephen Edward Graham (@StephenEdwardG4) August 1, 2018
can tell why rafa wanted townsend. God forbid if shelvey gets injured or suspended. #nufc were carved out on the flanks leaving their CBs exposed. Rafa needs a full back. And if Gayle thinks he can fight for his place in this team it better be for waterboy.
— bobby martins (@BobbyGoa) August 1, 2018
https://twitter.com/Zeal2018/status/1024750711245029376
OPINION
Newcastle fans are angry and you can understand why. The Gayle/Rondon swap deal has been dragging on for ages and when he was started last night fans took it as a clear message that any deal was off. That’s not necessarily the case but you can understand why the last few weeks might have been unsettling for Gayle. However, while he was Newcastle’s hero in the Championship, he hasn’t been able to produce in the Premier League. He might well be better off at West Brom next season and Newcastle fans might want Rondon, but Benitez doesn’t sound optimistic over the deal. In the meantime, Newcastle fans have made it clear what they think of Gayle leading the line for them next season.