Lewis Miley has simply come again from an harm that left him out for a number of months. I really feel as if a variety of us, together with me, have forgotten how good this lad is. So, here’s a deep dive into the younger Geordie midfielder.
Lewis Miley is an 18-year-old midfielder who made his aggressive debut on the final day of the 22/23 season in opposition to Chelsea at 16 years previous, changing into Newcastle’s youngest-ever Premier League participant. The next season, because of an harm disaster, Lewis was in a position to accumulate 26 appearances for the Toon and impressed in these video games, accumulating one objective and 4 assists. Since then, he picked up again and foot accidents which left him out from March to the tip of October, the place he received a late sub look in our 2-0 cup win over Chelsea. He just lately made his debut for the England below 21’s facet at 18 – a vastly spectacular feat given his current harm points – and was in a position to get some minutes below his belt in opposition to Spain and the Netherlands. Miley was neglected of our squad throughout Monday’s 2-0 defeat to West Ham, shedding his place following Wilson and Trippier’s return, however the Geordie expertise nonetheless has an enormous function to play this season and for a few years to return.
Strengths on the ball
Considered one of his greatest strengths is how he retains and recycles possession, he’s so good at maintaining the staff ticking and preserve the ball shifting shortly. He affords ample assist for Bruno in construct up and may assist mix in these huge triangles. Lewis can also be so mature for his age, the composure he has on the ball is so spectacular. He is a superb passer and has a variety of passes, switches, by way of balls, bounce passes. There aren’t many passes this lad can’t do. One other energy of his on the ball sport, is his skill to show. Miley usually tries to obtain the ball on his again foot to try to open up the sport and maximize his angles. He’s nice on the half flip as properly. Lastly, the best way he makes use of his physique in possession is nice to see. He is aware of he hasn’t received the tempo or burst to take a defender on so will usually put himself between the person and the ball to aim to win a foul or simply retain possession and recycle it, this once more highlights his sport intelligence.
Strengths off the ball
Considered one of his strengths are his runs of the ball, he’s nice at making them runs down the channel and timing them completely, helps our huge triangles change into extra fluid but additionally along with his ball retention, it permits us to progress up the sector. I believe Miley has nice defensive instincts as properly, particularly when defending in his field. He’s fast to get out to dam, he is aware of what areas to cowl, he is aware of what house to fill and who to mark. The usage of his legs. Miley has very lengthy legs, particularly once you account that he’s 6’2. He makes use of them so properly as properly, usually making lunging tackles, blocks and simply getting them in entrance of his opponent to both win a foul or retain the ball. Lastly, I believe he is a superb presser of the ball. The timing of his sprints, his angle of his runs and his understanding of when to be intense in his actions. It’s no shock that the below 21 supervisor wished him within the first line of press on Monday.
Room for enchancment
His use of top, I believe Miley is nice in his floor duels, however he isn’t pretty much as good in aerial ones regardless of his top. He must be extra dominant but additionally choose the flight of the ball higher, he can usually miss header that ought to be his all day. I believe his first contact is a bit inconsistent, particularly when receiving the ball in his path when he’s operating the channel. I believe he simply must try to give attention to controlling the ball on this scenario, he’s all the time attempting to suppose forward, which is nice however, on this scenario, he ought to try to get the contact proper. His pace can also be a difficulty, he doesn’t cowl floor fast sufficient and may be caught out when attempting to trace again, I’m certain it may be labored on because of his age, however it’s one motive why I don’t belief him as a six. I all the time battle with negatives in these items, apologies if I’ve missed any out.
His function
There was loads of discourse on which place Miley ought to play. He has performed in every midfield function of us since his debut in 2023, so I’m going to analyse every of those roles and why Miley is suited/not suited to that place.
I’m going to start out off with the No.6 function (holding midfielder). For me this isn’t Miley’s place, I believe he’s very passive with the ball, which is ok to an extent however on this place, we’d like somebody who will take extra dangers in possession. We will probably be too reliant on development by way of the centre backs. Additionally, off the ball Miley is gradual and doesn’t cowl floor fast sufficient, we’d like somebody on this place who can cowl a lot of floor and provides ample assist to the defence, particularly when defending counters. One constructive of getting Miley play right here is his positional self-discipline however this isn’t sufficient for me to belief him there.
Now onto proper centre midfield function. For me that is the function which is greatest suited to Miley. It permits him to be included in all phases of play, he can supply assist for Bruno, is disciplined positionally and his off the ball runs down the channel are nice and assist preserve our RHS rotations fluid, I believe he strikes the proper steadiness on that facet of the pitch identical to Longstaff, one of many explanation why I’d favor him over Longstaff.
Lastly, the left centre midfield function. I don’t thoughts him right here, he makes good runs off the ball, hyperlinks play properly within the channel and retains the ball in good conditions. I assumed him and Gordon play properly collectively, however my essential situation is Miley is nice at slicing the ball again on the proper. Nevertheless, he can’t do this as successfully on the left. He’s good at receiving the ball on his left foot however first time crosses and lower backs are usually not nice.
In conclusion, I believe Miley being again is a large constructive for us. This is likely one of the greatest skills to return out of Little Benton in a very long time. Technically he’s sound, not wonderful however does the fundamentals extraordinarily properly, however his bodily potential is horrifying and what higher supervisor to maximise that than Eddie Howe. His sport intelligence can also be wonderful for an 18 yr previous, you don’t ever see this form of maturity from a participant that younger. For me, he’s prepared for constant minutes, he ought to be above Longstaff within the pecking order. If Longstaff’s contract is prolonged I hope, he’s keen to simply accept much less sport time as Miley is quickly going to be taking on. The choice of Miley and Sandro as our proper centre midfield choices is thrilling. One affords safety and retention and the opposite affords technical mastery and floor protection. I can’t wait to see Lewis again getting minutes in a Newcastle United shirt.