There’s just a few select spaces up for grabs in Eddie Howe’s starting XI and it’s up to the Newcastle United fringe players to take their chance when one kindly presents itself.
The likes of Joe Willock, William Osula, Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes, Sean Longstaff, Emil Krafth and Lewis Miley can be categorised as the players currently occupying places on the bench, with arguably only the last mentioned of the sextet impressing, on a consistent basis, when presented with first team minutes.
Miley has only started two senior games – cup outings with Bromley and Birmingham City – since returning from a metatarsal injury in late 2024 but has looked mightily impressive despite his relative inexperience at just 18 years old. To add, the teenager’s 45-minute cameo against Manchester City over the weekend was arguably the only positive from Newcastle’s dismal 4-0 defeat.
“The big positive is Lewis’ performance in the second half,” Howe said at full-time. “He showed, not just bravery out of possession, in terms of winning duels and covering the pitch, but also in terms of taking the ball, showing composure and making the right decisions, which we didn’t do enough of.
“He can be very proud of his performance, but some of us need to look at him because he led the way.”
With Joelinton enduring a period on the treatment table, there is a gap to be filled alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali in United’s midfield. Joe Willock has been the man selected to replace the Brazilian in recent weeks but, despite shining with a brace in the FA cup win over Birmingham, has failed to really lay down a marker.
There is outside clamour growing for Miley to get more minutes in Howe’s side. Given Kieran Trippier has recently been handed starts over Tino Livramento after impressive displays, the Newcastle boss can indeed be swayed by a dose of recency bias.
There is now a feeling inside Newcastle that Miley is ready to step up and take on more responsibility. After carefully managing his return from injury, after a breakout season that saw the youngster given arguably too much football for his developing body to handle, the next few weeks present the academy graduate to stake a claim to be the permanent place holder in Joelinton’s absence.
Miley has also attracted tentative interest from big-name suitors since bursting onto the scene a little over a year ago. However, Newcastle are determined not to be backed into an Elliot Anderson-style transfer corner and will fend off any potential bids for Miley in the future.
Instead, the focus will be on continuing his development, with the teen already looking capable of becoming a top-level player on a regular basis. After only 78 minutes of league football and two cup starts this season, Miley has climbed the midfield pecking order and must now continue to grasp his chance with both hands.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eddie-howes-newcastle-united-pecking-31029085
