The Magpies are still in search of their first victory of the season, with their former player suggesting some remedies
Former Newcastle United midfielder Mick Quinn believes the club has been struggling in the Premier League this season due to lack of creativity by midfielders including Ghanaian Christian Atsu.
The Magpies have gone six games without a win, picking only two points and scoring four goals, as against eight conceded.
Quinn calls on the midfielders to roll up their sleeves when they face Leicester City at St. James' Park on Saturday.
"Leicester are a dangerous side, but they’ve had an inconsistent start to the season, and I see no reason why the Magpies cannot get that first win this weekend," Quinn wrote in his weekly column on The ChronicleLive.
"If Newcastle are going to beat the Foxes, they need to start creating more chances - because only then will the goals arrive.
"Salomon Rondon is clearly struggling for full fitness at the moment, while Joselu is never going to be a prolific striker but they need some help from their team-mates. It’s not like the pair are missing chance after chance; they’re barely getting any opportunities presented to them."
"The likes of Kenedy, Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Christian Atsu, Jacob Murphy and Jonjo Shelvey need to be whipping the ball into dangerous areas, or playing through-balls to release the forwards.
"I’d also like to see those players getting into the box themselves too and to start contributing goals of their own. They have the ability, but it’s about showing it more regularly," he added.
Atsu has made three appearances all as a substitute so far this season, lasting 74 minutes in total.