Lee Ryder has been speaking on the latest edition of the Everything is Black & White podcast about all things Newcastle United after the Toon drew 0-0 with West Bromwich Albion.
It is a result that has left Newcastle just one point above the relegation zone after Fulham beat Liverpool.
On the podcast, Ryder spoke about a variety of topics concerning the match, and one of those that he covered was Jeff Hendrick’s performance.
The Republic of Ireland international was picked to start the game and lasted until the 57th minute when Dwight Gayle replaced him after offering nothing.
In his time on the pitch, he earned a poor 6.54 rating from WhoScored; he also failed to make a tackle and provided one key pass.
Clearly, Ryder wasn’t too happy with his display either.
He said: (9:52) “They’re trying to justify his arrival last summer, and they’re trying to make it work same with Joelinton as well.
“Unless other people are seeing something that I am not, for me, I didn’t see much there today.
“I think his manager from [the Republic of] Ireland was there to watch him as well, so maybe they’re seeing something I’m not.
“I am looking for a midfielder; if you’re not getting forward and setting up chances, then you’re getting tackles in and making interceptions, and he didn’t do either in terms of offensively or defensively.”
Was Hendrick awful?
Yes, he did literally nothing
No, he wasn't that bad
TIF Thoughts on Hendrick…
The 29-year-old, who is valued at £8.10m by Transfermarkt, was signed from Burnley on a free transfer, and after his Premier League debut in which he scored and provided an assist, it has been downhill for Hendrick on Tyneside.
He has made 18 Premier League appearances in which he has earned a poor average rating of 6.4 from WhoScored.
He has scored two goals, but apart from that, he has offered very little to the Toon, and it is clear that Ryder thinks the same.