Eddie Howe will not be getting carried away with Lewis Miley’s performances at right-back for Newcastle United, it seems.
Miley was excellent again as Newcastle United beat Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday while playing in the defensive role.
Howe stuck with the Newcastle United teenager despite the fact that Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier returned from injury.
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Livramento came off the bench for Howe’s side but as a left-back in place of Hall, while Miley continued at right-back.
It was the teenager who played a key role in the opening goal, too. Miley kept a Harvey Barnes cross alive, flicking the ball to Bruno Guimaraes, who scored with his head.
Indeed, Miley was brilliant for Newcastle against Palace, although Howe does not believe the right-back experiment will continue.
Eddie Howe thinks Lewis Miley is a midfielder, not a right-back
The Newcastle United manager was interviewed by journalists after the game in his post-match press conference.
Naturally, Miley’s name came up following another fine performance in a role unfamiliar to him only a few weeks ago.
However, when asked if the 19-year-old was now seen as more of a full-back, Howe said: “I think it’s important for Lewy to maybe still identify himself as a midfielder.
“I don’t know if that’s [being split across two positions] healthy for him at this moment in time. Look, who knows what the future holds?
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“But I would still consider him a midfielder that’s playing, and doing an unbelievable job for the team, at right-back.
“So, that’s my feeling. I’m sure if you asked Lewy, he’d probably say the same but this is giving him a way to play games and it’s benefitting the team currently.”
Lewis Miley gives Eddie Howe a very difficult decision at Newcastle United
Given Howe sees Miley returning to a midfield berth soon, it seems safe to assume that Livramento will play as a right-back when he’s fully fit.
With that in mind, Howe will soon face a rather difficult decision. Miley surely has to start in some capacity, but the midfield options are plentiful.
Perhaps, given Sandro Tonali’s recent struggles, Miley will replace the Italian to partner Guimaraes and Joelinton in the middle of the park.
Dropping Tonali would be a big call but, frankly, Miley now looks like one of Newcastle’s very best players.
No matter the position, he simply must start against Leeds on Wednesday night.
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