OPINION
Newcastle United were condemned to yet another defeat this season when Leicester City put two goals past them at St James’ Park.
It was a blank, bleak and tasteless performance – and Rafa Benitez must be rather concerned about the current state of play on Tyneside at the moment.
Playing the way that they did against an arguably average Leicester side cannot continue, as fans do not deserve to be subjected to such displays every week.
If they want to lay the blame on someone, then they must point the finger at striker Joselu.
He was chosen to lead the line on Saturday, but Benitez will no doubt be full of regret for making a decision that has now backfired on him.
United had two golden opportunities before they conceded a penalty to put themselves in the lead, and it is not hard to gather that Joselu was involved in one of them.
The 28-year-old was one-on-one with the goalkeeper and had the chance to put Newcastle in front, but he looked like he did not know what he was doing – if anything, he was waiting for someone to tackle him.
This sort of tactic is bizarre and it is obvious that Benitez does not need a player on the pitch who does not seem to want to make any sort of effort, or waste important opportunities in front of goal.
It remains to be seen where their source of goals will come from, and at the moment, it does not look like that source will be coming from Joselu.
Benitez arguably does not have much to work with seeming as Salomon Rondon was out for this fixture, so he really had no choice but to hand the Spaniard a start at the weekend.
However, based on his showing, he just looks like an accident waiting to happen – and that should be of the utmost concern for the manager.
Who does he start in place of Joselu? It is a question that he will no doubt be asking himself right now.
One thing is for certain though – Newcastle’s £40,000-a-week [Spotrac] is not fit to play, and he must be axed imminently.