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Dwight Gayle (now playing for Hibernian)

astraguy

by astraguy
in Football

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  • 3 weeks later...
afar

afar

Posted
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Congratulations to the lad, I had my doubts when we signed him, but that was down to my ignorance of his ability. The perfect signing in the end for Rafa's system, just a shame he had the injury problems, otherwise we would have easily topped 100 points and he would have strolled to the top scorer in the division.

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Guest firetotheworks

Guest firetotheworks

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Not quite, that went to N'golo Kante.

 

He's won the PFA Championship Fans' player of the year.

 

...and yet he didn't even win it on here, which I still find really weird, as good as Richie was.

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Guest firetotheworks

Guest firetotheworks

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He only started slightly over half of the games last season. That's why

 

I think that's still enough to go on considering the impact that he had in those matches.

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Pilko

Pilko

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Feel like you have to easily give it to Gayle up until end of January, at which point Ritchie took the mantle and literally dragged us through some games. Can see why it's such a close call on here tbh.

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  • 1 month later...
54

54

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https://www.premierleague.com/news/424639?sf94892567=1

 

Adrian Clarke’s analysis of the promoted clubs concludes with one final look at Newcastle United.

 

After focusing on their set-piece threat and Rafa Benitez's management style, Clarke examines the Magpies' very own Ian Wright.

 

Gayle force

Wearing the iconic No 9 shirt for Newcastle United is an honour that brings with it great responsibility,

 

Dwight Gayle has thrived under the pressure.

 

He scored 23 Championship goals from 28 starts during a fabulous debut campaign at St James’ Park.

 

The former Crystal Palace striker was often used as a substitute or in a wide attacking role during his Selhurst Park days, but Benitez saw him as a centre-forward capable of leading the line.

 

It was the right decision.

 

A rounded striker

Playing on the shoulder of defenders, Gayle’s speed and energy stretches play and opens up additional room for team-mates.

 

Using his pace to full advantage, six of Gayle’s 23 goals stemmed from runs he made in beyond his markers, latching on to through-balls to score.

 

With midfield distributors such as Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie and Mohamed Diame supplying the ammunition, Gayle was always a livewire threat.

 

Goals scored by Gayle 2016/17

Talking_Tactics_Gaye-3.png

 

The Newcastle striker is also an instinctive finisher who scores a wide range of goals.

 

Last term he shared 19 strikes between his left (nine) and right feet (10), dispatching clinical efforts one-touch, two-touch, or on the back of dribbles.

 

Right place, right time

While he is confident enough to take on efforts from distance, Gayle is probably best described as a six-yard box predator.

 

During 2016/17 he popped up to slot home 11 goals from inside that zone.

 

Whenever the ball is out wide the 26-year-old makes razor sharp runs, and that is the key ingredient behind his success.

 

Mixing his runs up between near post, far post and central areas, Gayle’s bright mind and sharpness over three or four yards means he offers terrific options to Newcastle’s creators.

 

Statistically he is far better at attacking deliveries from the right wing.

 

He got on the end of eight crosses from that flank to score, compared with two from the left, but this may have been down to the quality of service.

 

Top-flight credentials?

Can Gayle cut it in the Premier League? I believe he can.

 

A player who demonstrated excellent finishing in short bursts with Crystal Palace, he registered conversion rates of 17%, 25% and 35% during his last three top-flight seasons at Selhurst Park.

 

This is even more impressive considering that many of his appearances came from the bench.

 

Now deployed as the principle striker rather than as a winger, he should in theory receive goal opportunities in better areas on a more consistent basis.

 

Gayle reminds me greatly of Ian Wright.

 

His energetic style is extremely similar to the Arsenal legend. The runs he makes are of the same ilk and they lemd themselves to a diverse assortment of goals.

 

Given the right service I am sure Gayle will score plenty of goals for Newcastle United next season.

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thenige

thenige

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Only thing about Gayle was that in some games we struggled to retain possession due to playing a direct style and his inability to get onto the (admittedly at times poor) service. Have no doubt if given chances he'll score mind, and injuries withstanding, deserves a shot at leading the line for us next season. Just worry against some of the more physical sides we may find ourselves a bit more on the back foot that we'd like.

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TRon

TRon

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Have every confidence he'll do well next season.

 

At the moment we better hope he does, not to mention steer clear of injuries because we don't have a lot else up front if he's out for any significant period of time.

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  • 5 weeks later...

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