‘It’s not Bruno’: Callum Wilson snaps back as Newcastle United form questioned

Callum Wilson was asked if Newcastle United’s recent struggle for wins is all down to the missing Brazilian midfielder.
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Callum Wilson has insisted that it is not the missing Bruno Guimaraes that has led to underwhelming Newcastle United results in recent weeks.

The Brazilian midfielder is still serving a suspension picked up after receiving a red card in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Southampton and has missed the last two league fixtures against West Ham and Bournemouth.

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The Magpies picked up a point in two underwhelming performances in those matches, which makes it just one league win since defeating Leicester City on Boxing Day - despite the side just equalling a club record for matches unbeaten.

On this week's BBC Sounds' Footballer's Football Podcast, host Ricky Haywood-Williams asked if Guimaraes' absence was perhaps why Newcastle had been struggling to get going, but Wilson rubbished the idea.

The Newcastle striker said: "He's only missed two games and we've drawn five out of the last six I believe. While he has been there we have been drawing as well, I think we have 10 draws for the season.

"If you work out he's only missed two games, we've had eight draws with him in the team. He's a great player but ultimately he's one player in the midfield.

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"To break teams down you need a whole tandem to keep working in sync, you need the ball going out wide quicker and he does switch the play a lot and travel with the ball and things like that.

"He'll be welcomed back with open arms, it's disappointing to miss him, but I wouldn't say that's the reason we are drawing games."

Bruno Guimaraes received a red card against Southampton at St James’ Park (Image: Getty Images)Bruno Guimaraes received a red card against Southampton at St James’ Park (Image: Getty Images)
Bruno Guimaraes received a red card against Southampton at St James’ Park (Image: Getty Images)

Guimaraes will miss this weekend's meeting with Liverpool at St James' Park but is set for a return for the Carabao Cup final with Manchester United the following weekend.

On the podcast, Wilson also reasoned why Newcastle hadn't been turning one point into three in recent weeks.

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He said: "We ended up with a draw again, a frustrating one. We've drawn a few games but if you can't win them, don't lose them.

Callum Wilson says opponents come to Newcastle wanting a draw (Image: Getty Images)Callum Wilson says opponents come to Newcastle wanting a draw (Image: Getty Images)
Callum Wilson says opponents come to Newcastle wanting a draw (Image: Getty Images)

"It's not a worry. I also wouldn't say we are okay with that. Ultimately, if you'd have lost one and won one, you'd have more points than what we actually had over the last two games.

"We need to turn those draws into wins but it's easier said than done. To stay unbeaten is one thing, but we keep giving away sloppy goals from set pieces which we need to brush up and at the front end we need to be a bit more creative in the final third and create goals from different areas of the field.

"People are happy to get draws now against Newcastle, it's different. We need to rise to the challenge."