Some of you have been sending in questions about why Eddie Howe does not play Lewis Miley via our ‘Ask about Newcastle’ form. There are concerns expressed that the midfielder will have seen Elliot Anderson’s progress since leaving and want the same, putting the Magpies at risk of losing another young talent.
This is a timely question. In so many ways.
First, Miley memorably broke into the side two years ago – at the height of an injury crisis – so it feels apt to reflect on his development since then.
Secondly, Newcastle’s heavyweight midfield has not been functioning like it used to on the road, which potentially raises the prospect of increased game time for Miley and one or two others in the coming weeks given the number of games Howe’s side have.
I get the comparison with Anderson, a fellow midfielder and academy graduate, but it is easy to forget Miley is three and a half years younger yet has already played more games for his boyhood club than his former team-mate ever did.
Miley is also the sort of character who has taken a lot from the matches he has featured in this season – and the staff and players he has worked with day in, day out for a while now – rather than lamenting the games he has not.
Howe has been conscious of not putting too much pressure on Miley, particularly after an injury-ravaged campaign last year, but the head coach rates the 19-year-old as an “outstanding talent”.
He certainly will not want to lose him after having to let Anderson go because of the club’s desperate profit and sustainability situation in 2024.
I still see Miley being a big part of the club’s future.
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