Ayoze Perez Needs Support In Newcastle United Attack

Ayoze Perez has struggled to reach his early-season heights at Newcastle United in recent weeks - but he needs support up front, and he needs other members of the first team to start providing him with chances. The Spanish 21-year-old forward arrived at Newcastle United last summer for £1.5 million as a relative unknown and he was expected to largely feature in the development side - yet Perez has been called upon on 39 separate occasions by the first team already this season. Having exploded on to the scene with a headed goal in a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in October, Perez then bagged the winner against Liverpool before scoring a majestic flick in the 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion - and it really seemed as though Newcastle had a talented player on their hands, someone who had been courted by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Porto. Perez is clearly extremely talented but he has been unable to show that in recent matches.

Having scored five times by the turn of the year, it took until last weekend for Perez to net his sixth of the season - ending a 1,133-minute goal drought in the process. At times Perez has looked tired and isolated up front on his own for the Magpies - but who can blame him? This was supposed to be a development season, yet Newcastle's plight and Papiss Cisse's suspensions have left John Carver no choice but to start Perez regularly. What's more, Perez is not a lone striker. He works tirelessly and chases lost causes, but Perez needs support up front. With the goal-scoring return of Siem de Jong from injury against Swansea City, hopefully Newcastle can give Perez some support up top. Emmanuel Riviere did a decent job for 45 minutes against Swansea but faded in the second-half - but hopefully De Jong can bring out the best in the gifted Perez by holding up the ball for him and providing accurate passes. Cisse is due to return from suspension against West Bromwich Albion too, so Perez should now get some much-needed support up top - and this could yet provide Newcastle with the win they need to ensure survival. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.