Newcastle United legend delivers verdict on two striker split system and Dwight Gayle position

The result has heaped fan pressure on Steve Bruce despite the Magpies head coach retaining the backing of owner Mike Ashley.

Former St James’s Park hero Rob Lee, however, focused in on Newcastle United’s split striker formation which was once again deployed by Bruce against the Seagulls.

Interestingly, Lee also mentioned recently-installed coach Graeme Jones during his analysis.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Lee said: “I don’t like the formation they play.

"I don’t think we’ve got the players to play it and I know it’s Graeme Jones’ preferred way of playing, he likes his two strikers to split, but personally, I hate it.

“I feel sorry for the likes of Gayle because they barely touch the ball and you have to realise what Dwight Gayle is. He is a guy that can score goals and he’s brilliant at doing that.

“He’s very quick and plays on the last defender but he has to be around the box not wide because he’s not going to give you anything there.

“They seem to be persevering with this system and it’s not for me to say, but from looking inside and from what I’ve seen we haven’t got the players to play that way.”

17th-placed Newcastle United are now just two points above relegation rivals Fulham.

Scott Parker’s side occupy the final relegation spot.

The Magpies take on Tottenham Hotspur on April 4 after the international break with Bruce set to still be in the dugout.

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