Eddie Howe set up a genius plan to take on Chelsea last night dividing the game into an attacking first half and defending in the second.
Obviously, the plan would not have worked had Newcastle Untied not managed to grab a healthy two-goal lead in the first-half.
Coming out for the second half you could see a notable change in shape with Joelinton, who started on the left wing in the first-half, suddenly operating as a right wing-back.
At first I thought he'd just wandered out of position and stayed there but he stuck at it.
I think all that's left for Eddie Howe to do now is to stick the Brazilian in goal for him to complete the whole set.
Starting life as a striker, albeit not the best one, and then moving to the left wing, then back into midfield, we shouldn't really be surprised to see Joelinton grafting as a right wing-back and taking to it like a duck to water.
Whatever special serum Howe gave to Joelinton when he took over has clearly worked.
Speaking to the media after the game (via The Chronicle on X), Eddie Howe reserved special praise for Joelinton for his adaptability.
“I have to say a special well done to Joelinton today.
“His versatility is just incredible, he’s such a bonus for us to be able to play him wide left, wide right, wing-back, brilliant performance.”
We just adore Big Joe at NUFC Feed and he keeps finding new ways to make us love him more.
PL | GD | PTS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Liverpool
|
14 | 18 | 35 |
2 |
Chelsea
|
15 | 17 | 31 |
3 |
Arsenal
|
15 | 14 | 29 |
4 |
Manchester City
|
15 | 6 | 27 |
5 |
Nottingham Forest
|
15 | 1 | 25 |
6 |
Aston Villa
|
15 | 0 | 25 |
7 |
Brighton
|
15 | 3 | 24 |
8 |
Bournemouth
|
15 | 3 | 24 |
9 |
Brentford
|
15 | 3 | 23 |
10 |
Fulham
|
15 | 2 | 23 |
11 |
Tottenham Hotspur
|
15 | 12 | 20 |
12 |
Newcastle United
|
15 | -2 | 20 |
13 |
Manchester United
|
15 | 1 | 19 |
14 |
West Ham United
|
15 | -8 | 18 |
15 |
Everton
|
14 | -7 | 14 |
16 |
Leicester
|
15 | -9 | 14 |
17 |
Crystal Palace
|
15 | -6 | 13 |
18 |
Ipswich
|
15 | -13 | 9 |
19 |
Wolves
|
15 | -15 | 9 |
20 |
Southampton
|
15 | -20 | 5 |