Journalist Adam Bate has featured on the latest edition of the Sky Sports Pitch to Post podcast to discuss Newcastle United’s recent performances without star striker Callum Wilson.
The Magpies sit dangerously close to the relegation zone with 18th-placed Fulham just one place and two points behind them with Tottenham Hotspur travelling to St. James’ Park on Sunday.
Discussing the Magpies’ season so far, Bate denied the claim Newcastle were playing well before Wilson suffered his latest hamstring injury in the victory over Southampton.
Since Wilson’s injury, Steve Bruce’s side have not won any of their six Premier League games – losing three and drawing three.
On the topic of missing Wilson and the impact the striker has had on the Magpies this season, Bate had the following to say.
He said: “I wouldn’t disagree with him [Bruce] about Callum Wilson, I think that was a good sign. I don’t think anything we’ve seen changes that I don’t think we should pretend that it was good when he was there. But it just sort of gave them enough firepower didn’t it to get themselves out of real trouble. (47:33)
“They’ve won seven matches in the league this season – Wilson scored eight goals in those games. He’s effectively scored the winner in five of the seven games that they’ve won, and they’re not won without him.
“So obviously being without him has been a huge blow you sort of freeze the season at the point where he got injured and that’s sort of their 25 points from 23 games, which is sort of 10 clear of Fulham – on course for about 41. So it wasn’t great, but you know, it certainly wasn’t disastrous, and they would have kept their head above water, you feel comfortably if it stayed fit, but you lose him, you lose a few others and it already sort of felt very fragile, gets worse very quickly.”
Wilson has scored 10 goals in the Premier League this season for the Tyneside club, however, even with him, there were question marks over their style of play.
Will Wilson play against Spurs?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Bate’s comments…
Newcastle have certainly missed Wilson’s goals since the striker has been sidelined through injury. Even when they have not played well in a game they have had a glimmer of optimism with Wilson upfront with the summer signing having netted double figures for the Magpies this campaign.
However, there is no question the Toon Army have become frustrated with Bruce and the displays shown by his team with protests outside their stadium following the humiliating defeat away to Brighton & Hove Albion.
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