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Nobby Solano feels that Newcastle United's South American duo Miguel Almiron and Joelinton are being starved of service due to the Magpies' defensive mentality.

The former St James' Park favourite knows all about making the journey from South America to Europe and believes that the Brazilian striker and the ex-MLS playmaker are choking on the Premier League stage at the moment.

Solano required time to adjust to the English lifestyle when he first arrived from Boca Juniors in 1998 under Kenny Dalglish, but netted six goals in his first season.

Although he played for just a short time under Dalglish and was embedded into a Ruud Gullit team that struggled, at least tried to attack with Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson in the side.

This week has resulted in suggestions that Almiron will be axed after an extensive goal drought, but Solano told the Chronicle: "The problem for them is the defensive mentality that I've seen so far.

"The team has been under the cosh in a few games.

"Newcastle didn't look like a team that were capable of building from the back and attacking against Brighton.

"They started five defenders there and then went to a five-man midfield, both tactical outlooks were to absorb pressure rather than attack.

"When you line up like that the opponents see that and think: 'We can have a go now instead'.

"The wing-backs are like full-backs so it's five men defending rather than looking to attack.

"Then there's the two holding midfielders, so that's six people focused on defensive duties.

"It means the team isn't set up to create attacking opportunities.

"When you build from the back to go forward that's different."

Almiron's run of games without a goal now stands at 16 outings, but Solano feels the pain of the Paraguay star, and reflected: "Miguel Almiron seems to be getting the ball and sprinting as fast as he can to create something.

"It's means he's rushing things.

"The same for Joelinton, he is relying on massive slices of luck to score around the final third.

"He isn't getting one flowing move after another.

"He isn't relaxed because he knows if he misses one, the next chance could be some time in coming.

"Of course, we have to give Steve Bruce time to build his team.

"He said he wanted to attack, but when there are five at back and you aren't scoring that's a problem.

"If you are talking about dropping people the last person should be Almiron or Joelinton, it's about getting people in around them to support them.

"Or you then just throw in Yoshinori Muto and he's going to have the same issues.

"The home games are the big worry."

Almiron was presented with a superb chance against Brighton but his shot cannoned off the legs of Mat Ryan.

Solano said: "Almiron is a very dangerous and an important player for Newcastle.

"He is skillful and fast and he should be important in their system.

"It's my opinion. You have to respect the managers in the Premier League - but when you play five at the back and two holding midfielders, you aren't getting loads of chances.

"I worry for Joelinton because he needs service too."

United's other big option in attack is Andy Carroll who made his return to the club in August and played his first minutes for the Magpies against Brighton.

Solano knows Carroll from his stint at the club in the mid-noughties, the Peruvian coach said: "Andy is very popular.

"He had a great opportunity to play for Liverpool and he took it.

"The club sold him.

"We have to be realistic now though.

"He has not played a lot of football in recent times and it's unfair to pin all the hopes on him.

"It is a move that has pleased the fans.

"But he needs to be on the pitch.

"You can't have a similar situation to Michael Owen being here.

"You need the team to fight."

Solano's two old sides, Leicester City and Newcastle, will meet in the Super Sunday encounter at the King Power Stadium this weekend.

Looking ahead to the game, Solano said: "It's still early in the season but before Christmas is when you need to start picking up points.

"It's really tough because for me before the festive period you need to start laying those foundations.

"If you don't you leave yourself with work to do and are doing it on very little confidence.

"It'll be a difficult game.

"Newcastle are looking defensive when they play with five at the back and I imagine they will be going to Leicester to try to hit them on the counter attack.

"I think it'll be a tight game. Leicester are in good spirits after beating Spurs and making progress in the League Cup.

"It'll be a very interesting game."