Former Newcastle United striker Micky Quinn has backed on-loan hitman Salomon Rondon to make a huge impact on Tyneside this season if manager Rafael Benitez gets his side supporting him properly.
The Venezuelan 28-year-old arrived on a temporary deal from West Brom this summer, Dwight Gayle taking his place at the Hawthorns while the new Magpies took the famous number nine shirt at St James’ Park.
Now, Quinn is predicting the new forward can net as many as 15 goals between now and the end of the campaign, but only if Benitez sets up his tactics to get the best out of him.
He told the Chronicle: “Rondon’s forte is holding the ball up and working tirelessly but the most important thing is you’ve got to get players around him. Supporting him quicker is one area Newcastle United need to improve on.
“I think Rondon, who is on loan from West Bromwich Albion, will get you ten to 15 goals a season. Everyone on and off the field has just got to pull together to put this disappointing start to bed.”
Opinion
Quinn has hit the nail on the head with Rondon and the rest of the Newcastle side, for the new striker could become another Aleksandar Mitrovic if Benitez is not careful. The Spanish boss did not play to the Serbian’s strengths when he made a rare first team outing and the rest of the team could have done a lot more to get him hitting home the goals he is proving he can score both at Fulham and for his national side. Rondon is a striker of a similar mould to Mitrovic – strong, powerful and a handful for defenders – and so Benitez must have learned his lesson in how to get his hitman firing on all cylinders. The West Brom loanee has been a reliable if unspectacular goal scorer while with the Baggies and the Toon Army must hope he can live up to Quinn’s expectations this season – or they could be facing a campaign of frustration and possibly a relegation battle.