Only Joelinton averages a worse goals-per-90-minutes ratio than Yoane Wissa while wearing the No.9 shirt at Newcastle United since Alan Shearer retired.
The No.9 shirt at Newcastle United, one of English football’s most coveted. Akin to the Tyne Bridge, Grey’s Monument, the Bigg Market and Greggs, the jersey is ingrained in Geordie culture.
There is not a lad or lass with a black-and-white heart who, at some stage of their formative years, did not aspire to don the famous number. As the main goalscorer at Newcastle - for whatever period of time that may be - you truly hold the key to the city.
Iconic incumbents include Hughie Gallacher, Jackie Milburn, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Shearer - truly adding weight to those black-and-white stripes. Some crumble under the pressure, others rise to the responsibility.
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Milburn - in some minds the most instrumental custodian of all - knew exactly what it meant to live the reality of every Newcastle fan’s dream. On the No.9 shirt, he famously said: “You, the Newcastle centre-forward, are the holder of their dreams. They would all be you if they could but instead they hero worship you as the No 9.
“They live their lives through you. You make their week after the sheer hell of the pits. Remember that and don’t ever let them down.”
However, its current occupant, Yoane Wissa, was given the shirt on a whim. After downing tools at Brentford to force a Toon transfer, the 29-year-old strolled into Tyneside and instantly snatched the number, made vacant following Callum Wilson’s exit.
"It (the No.9) means a lot to me,” Wissa said upon arrival. "I received a text message from him (Alan Shearer). He wished me the best of luck because he knew I was going to start.
"It is something special. I know the No.9 shirt is the best one here, so I just need to enjoy that. There is pressure that comes with it, but it is a privilege."
For starters, his actions preceding the Newcastle transfer should have ruled him out. But a lack of goalscoring prowess since arriving should warn the Magpies to never make the same mistake again.
Just one Premier League goal is all Newcastle have to show for their £55million investment. Wissa’s move has been a disaster, marred by injury and fitness issues from the moment he arrived.
The eye test does not lie, with Wissa looking miles off the pace when called upon. Eddie Howe’s waning faith was evident when he left the former Brentford man on the bench for 180 minutes - when searching for a goal - against Barcelona.
Barely a whisper of complaint was aired from the Newcastle fan base. Imagine if Milburn, Macdonald, Shearer, or even modern-day counterparts like Obafemi Martins, Papiss Cisse or Wilson faced the same fate?
Only Joelinton (0.12) - erroneously considered a striker - has a worse goals-per-90-minute ratio than Wissa (0.33) while wearing the No.9 shirt since Shearer’s retirement. The morale of the story? Carrying over a century of Geordie hopes and heritage should be a privilege earned, not doled out.
Newcastle United No.9s goals per 90 min since Alan Shearer
Callum Wilson - 0.61
Andy Carroll - 0.60
Alan Shearer - 0.52
Dwight Gayle - 0.52*
Papiss Cisse - 0.45
Salomon Rondon - 0.41
Obafemi Martins - 0.40
Yoane Wissa - 0.33
Joelinton - 0.12
*One of Gayle’s two seasons wearing the No.9 was in the 2016-17 Championship season.
*Only included stats while wearing the No.9 shirt
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