This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Rob Elliot hasn’t featured for the Magpies since the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in December 2017, and he has revealed his understandable angst at not getting onto the pitch.
What did he say?
The 33-year-old played 16 league games in the first half of the 2017/18 season but the arrival of Martin Dubravka in January 2018 meant he lost his place in the squad, and he has since been unable to win it back.
His contract expires next summer and it looks unlikely that he will continue his stay at the club beyond that date due to the current management overlooking him currently, as well as a likely personal desire to move on in search of game time.
However, he made it clear that he aims to play at St James’ Park one last time, and that would only be fair given his years of service to the club after joining in 2011.
Speaking to the Newcastle official website, he said: “It’s nearly been two years since I was involved in a matchday squad. I think that’s the thing that frustrates me.
“The last time I walked out at St. James’ was Man City, and I don’t want that to be the last time I walk out at St. James’. I didn’t have any concept or idea that that would be the last time I would play for the club.”
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Unfair treatment?
Although he has been the club for a lengthy period of time, the goalkeeper has only racked up 68 appearances for the club, despite playing under four different permanent managers.
That means he has been consistently thought to be not good enough to be first-choice, with Tim Krul being picked ahead of him previously, and Dubravka now – who hasn’t missed a league game since his debut against Manchester United.
The current Newcastle number one has been a consistent performer in the side, and his total 37 saves in the Premier League are the joint third-highest of any keeper in the division.
As a result, Elliot is missing out on merit, and considering he is now 33 it is little surprise that Steve Bruce would rather stick with a more reliable, long-term option like Dubravka.
With Karl Darlow acting as back-up it means that Elliot isn’t even getting an opportunity in cup competitions, which could be considered a little harsh. That said, the former Nottingham Forest man was a regular when the Magpies were promoted from the Championship, so he too has perhaps proved he should be above the Republic of Ireland international in the pecking order.