When you consider

[ex_pat_magpie]

how we have played in the few recent matches when we have picked up wins and draws then you have to consider this has been done at a disadvantage of playing Joelinton in almost every game.

What I am saying is that every time he starts, he is an outfield player taking out 10% of the team and therefore 10% of the result against us before we kick-off.

Replace that with say an average striker somewhere between Gayle's on the bottom side and Wilson's on the top side of ability and you have about a dozen more goals in the season and probably 8 to 12 points.

Ergo comfortable mid-table safety.

Of course, after removing and replacing Joelinton and moving on to replacing the next two or three players with those of slightly above average ability we then have a reasonably decent squad. Particularly if Joelintons £40million had been available to spend shrewdly.

[waalsendmick]

Joelinton is garbage... but... he is far from being the cause of our woes

[ex_pat_magpie]

Joelinton is garbage... but... he is far from being the cause of our woes

He may not be the main cause but his purchase, i.e. waste of £40 mill plus wages and a regular team place is one of the causes and the easiest one to put right by replacing.

If he hasn't become a regular goal scorer in three seasons then he doesn't need another three seasons when he could be replaced next match.

What I am saying is that there are a lot of causes for our position and you have to start somewhere improving and to my mind, this is the easiest start.