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No Goals This Season: Why Benitez Should Solve This Crucial Problem In Newcastle’s Squad As Soon As Possible

Matt Ritchie

Why Benitez Should Sort Matt Ritchie Out As Soon As Possible

Newcastle United winger Matt Ritchie started off on a positive note and made a tremendous impact at the club. But his recent displays have been quite worrying. The Magpies started the Premier League season on the right foot but of late, they have been struggling with their attack and that has cost them matches. They are not in any particular danger as of now but if they continue like this, Newcastle might have to teeter on the brink of the relegation zone.

At 12th position with 15 points, this might not be a concerning area but the fact is that all the teams have been unpredictable so far. In fact, one might even say that the mid-table battle is proving to be far more exciting than the battle for the top 6.

In a situation like this, it becomes all the more necessary for Newcastle to ensure they perform strongly to keep up but they lost their last 4 games before West Brom game mainly because of a weak front force. Hence, it does seem worrisome that Ritchie is failing to deliver his best at a time like this. The player will return to form but the Magpies will hope that it is not too little too late.

The 28-year-old started off brightly and provided 4 assists in his first 5 Premier League matches this season and he was being appreciated widely for his spectacular displays. However, of late, his form has dipped significantly.

He is yet to score a single goal so far and has provided 6 assists this season. Ritchie boasts of a strong work-rate but if that does not translate to effective results on the field, it hardly matters because Newcastle are in dire need of points right now. One might argue that he is with the club on a long-term basis and that a few bad games may not be grounds for trouble but at this present situation, it is unfortunate for Newcastle.

To make matters worse, Rafa Benitez has to deal with Christian Atsu’s thigh injury. The winger is likely to be out for significant time, meaning Ritchie will have to continue in his usual role due to a lack of depth in that area. The player can perhaps use some rest to regain his previous form since he has been playing continuously but the manager seems to be unwilling to deploy either Rolando Aarons or Jacob Murphy in his stead.

That might be due to the Scottish player’s vast experience compared to the other two but is that enough when he is not in form? Most likely not. And if Benitez is unable to find a solution to this problem, the Magpies may have to dip lower in the points table despite making such a promising start.