Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has called for improvements following a goalless draw against Leeds United.
It is the second time the Magpies have failed to score in the Premier League this season, but they can take confidence in the fact that they have kept two clean sheets so far.
Newcastle United were miles off the levels required of them as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road. Both sides registered just three shots on target, but neither really showed any sign of finding the back of the net.
It was a game in need of a quality striker for both sides. Nick Woltemade watched on as Newcastle drew, but he was surely thinking that he could have made a difference in the game.
William Osula led the line for Newcastle with Anthony Gordon suspended and Alexander Isak refusing to play, but the former did not do anything to impress in his first Premier League start.
With the Magpies enduring another goalless draw, Sandro Tonali has sent a clear message to his teammates on what they must improve going forward.
Sandro Tonali in action during a Premier League game between Leeds United and Newcastle United.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Sandro Tonali calls for Newcastle United to attack much better
Tonali’s inclusion against Leeds was a doubt after he came off injured against Liverpool on Monday. However, the midfielder played through the pain and put in a solid performance away from home.
Newcastle were sound defensively, with Sven Botman performing exceptionally before coming off with an injury. Elsewhere, Tino Livramento played several different positions to earn his team a point.
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Still, finishing was the big issue, and Tonali made that known to his teammates after the game.
“I’m fine,” he said. I work every day, 10 hours a day at the training ground, so I need to say thanks to the physio, staff and my wife because she was at home alone.
“This week was difficult but the team worked great. This game was difficult. If you play here it is not an easy game. We dominated the game and played very well.
“We need to improve in the last 25 metres because we need to score a goal. We deserved three points and we need to keep pushing more.
“We play against Aston Villa, Liverpool and this today. It is not an easy game. All three games we dominated. I am happy for every game. It is normal you can’t win every game. We need to work a lot and keep pushing because it is the Premier League.”
Newcastle United needed a quality striker for Leeds United draw
Tonali has got it spot on, Newcastle have not played terribly this season, they are just severely lacking that quality striker who will keep them at the high level they got to last season.
Woltemade will be champing at the bit to get on the grass with his new teammates, but he will have to wait two weeks before that due to the upcoming international break.
Eddie Howe can take some solace in the fact that he has a striker who wants to play for him this season, unlike Isak, who has well and truly thrown his toys out of the pram and derailed the start of the Magpies’ season.
It looks as though Isak will get his move away, but with seven points already dropped this season, the finger will be pointed at one person if the race for a top Premier League finish goes down to the wire.