Joelinton is trying to take Eddie Howe’s advice after holding talks with the Newcastle United manager.
The 28-year-old has started every Newcastle United game this season, but it has been a mixed start to the campaign.
He was outstanding on the opening day against Southampton, with Alan Shearer hailing Joelinton for his match-winning performance.
What followed was a string of underwhelming displays from Joelinton, who suddenly looked like the player that Eddie Howe first inherited.
Now there are signs that the Brazilian is re-finding his form. Joelinton was very good against Manchester City, while he was one of the Magpies’ better players during the 0-0 draw with Everton.
Joelinton is already close to a suspension
Joelinton already has four yellow cards in the Premier League this season. After just seven appearances, he is already one booking away from a one-game suspension.
It would be a real blow to lose Joelinton so early in the season to suspension, and it is up to him to be disciplined and delay the somewhat inevitable.
Ahead of the game, Howe admitted that he has spoken to Joelinton about his looming suspension, calling on the midfielder to try avoid another yellow card without nullifying his ball-winning ability.
Joelinton ‘pleased’ as Newcastle United midfielder avoids suspension for now
Joelinton did that on Saturday, avoiding a fifth yellow card of the season during Newcastle’s 0-0 draw with Everton. He only committed one foul all game, which is impressive when you consider how he plays – although he may have been aided by Newcastle having so much of the ball.
But Joelinton is well aware that he needs to be careful moving forwards, and spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about tweaking his game to avoid suspension.
“It’s a lot of yellow cards,” he said.
“It’s about me controlling myself better on the pitch, being more calm. Not taking away the way I play, but being more calm with the ref and not giving away the easy free-kicks.
“Against Everton I controlled better myself and I was pleased not to get a yellow card.”
No international duty for Joelinton
Now the international break begins, but Joelinton will not be representing Brazil.
That means he will remain on Tyneside, and it gives Howe a chance to continue working with his midfield enforcer.
With a suspension looming, it is a good opportunity for Howe and Joelinton to work together and look at ways he can delay that suspension for as long as possible, without hindering his performances.
That will be difficult, and Newcastle are lucky that they are well stocked in midfield if Joelinton does receive that elusive fifth yellow card of the season. Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff were on the bench at Goodison Park, while Lewis Miley is due to return from injury after the international break.
But there remains one major issue with Joelinton, and that is his discipline.
