'He's not right' - Concern for Newcastle United star after being ruled out for five months

The England international was one of the Magpies’ standout performers as they came from 1-0 down to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 at Molineux. Fast forward six days later and his trip to Fulham was at the opposite end of the scale.

Pope could do little about Raul Jimenez’s opener, however the same couldn’t be said about the hosts’ second goal when Emile Smith Rowe’s tame shot somewhat squirmed under him. United ended up losing 3-1 with Reiss Nelson adding a third in stoppage time after Harvey Barnes pulled it back to 2-1.

Watch Geordie Journos on ShotsTV! All eyes on Man City & Eddie Howe’s tactics 

In the latest episode of Geordie Journos on ShotsTV! Jordan Cronin, Liam Kennedy and Dominic Scurr questioned if Pope is still feeling the effects of the dislocated shoulder injury that recently kept him out for five months.

“He’s not right,” said Liam. “The way he is diving this season... he’s had a good season a part from the obvious error but there is something different with him.”

Dom added: “When you see the Emile Smith Rowe goal, he has to dive that shoulder and he looked unconvincing. But it is the first error he’s made this season.”

Jordan suggested it could be a mental thing with Pope and Liam agreed: “I don’t necessarily think it is physical even though everyone probably jumps to that conclusion. I think it could be mental.”

Watch Geordie Journos every Monday at 10:30pm on Freeview channel 262 & Freely channel 565, or on ShotsTV.com by clicking here.

Geordie Journos is a Football Content Awards nominated show with voting now open in the ‘Best Club Content Creator (Premier League)’ category. Vote here.