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Steve Bruce backs Newcastle's Miguel Almiron despite 11-month goal drought


Miguel Almiron has been told not to let his 11-month Newcastle goal drought become a mental torment.

United boss Steve Bruce reckons “the whole of Newcastle” wants the Paraguay winger to open his account for the club, due to his positive attitude and work-rate.

Almiron was brought for £20million last January, but has yet to score in his 25 starts since moving from MLS champions Atlanta.

He will be back in the starting line-up against Crystal Palace today after a hamstring injury and has been a key team player despite not scoring, covering in defence and breaking fast when Newcastle get the ball.

Bruce said: “You can just feel it in the ground. Everyone wants him to get a goal.

Miguel Almiron has not scored in his 25 starts for Newcastle

“He has been a delight to manage – hard working, always smiling, great pro, good man and a great team player.

“When you have someone like that, you want them to do well and you’re hoping the goal will come soon.

“Until it does, you’ll be asking these questions but certainly I have no problems with him.

“He can finish. I know it is a different league but when he was at Atlanta, he scored, and last his two internationals he found the net.

Steve Bruce insisted he has been happy with Almiron’s performances

“It’s probably a bit in the head you know. So I have just said to him to keep well and be bright. He trains unbelievably every day. I have never seen stats like he had a couple of weeks ago, his physical attributes are incredible, intensity, sprint distances… at West Ham as big as I have ever seen.”

Bruce will welcome Roy Hodgson to St James’ Park saying he won’t emulate the Premier league veteran by managing into his 70s.

Instead Bruce, 59 next week, wants “four or five” more years doing a good job at Newcastle, and will see how he feels.

He said: “I have huge respect for Roy for what he has done and achieved, how he has maintained that enthusiasm. I can’t see myself doing that until that age. Although being the sad, sick man I am maybe you never know. But I can’t see it.

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“The average lifespan for all managers now is 18 months, like it or lump it. I hope I can last more than 18 months, I hope I can do three, four or five years. It would be the perfect ending.”

Newcastle lost at Burnley last weekend and Bruce added: “Christmas will help if we can get a couple of victories.

“If we can get up to 25 points or more before the turn of the year we’ll have given ourselves a decent platform.

“There are still 14 clubs looking over their shoulder. It would be nice to look the other way.”





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