Newcastle United have unearthed 19y/o gem who can play two positions - more to come
Lewis Miley is a midfielder by trade but has been starring for Newcastle United at right-back.
Eddie Howe still sees Lewis Miley’s future as a midfielder despite starring at right-back during Newcastle United’s recent injury crisis.
With Newcastle down to as few as three senior defenders in recent weeks, Miley has started the last five matches at right-back. Out of position? Yes, but you wouldn’t have guessed it.
The Magpies welcomed back right-backs Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier from injury for Sunday’s 2-0 win over Crystal Palace but Miley kept his place in recognition of how well he has been performing there.
Lewis Miley stars for Newcastle United in 2-0 win over Crystal Palace
And even when Howe introduced Livramento midway through the second-half, Miley remained in his unfamiliar role as Lewis Hall made way at left-back.
And it’s little wonder too. Incredibly, the 19-year-old academy graduate completed the most passes of any player - all 59 of those found their intended target, including the touch that set up Bruno Guimaraes’ 71st-minute opener.
“Very, very good performance from him again,” Howe admitted. “And as you say, on the ball, very good, very composed. You sort of come to expect that with him, although it's never easy to deliver.
“But it's a defensive performance that I really tip my hat to him because it's so difficult to play that position when you haven't played it through your career.
“Tactically, we asked something slightly different from him again today, and he sort of takes everything in his stride and does it really, really well.”
What is Lewis Miley’s best position?
Howe may again have two recognised right-backs available in Livramento and Trippier, but Miley is undroppable in that position, isn’t he?
“I don't know if anyone's undroppable,” Howe told NewcastleWorld. “Every game, I'll try and make an independent decision on what I think is best for the team in that game.
“You've got to remember Lewis' age as well. We have to manage his body. He's had a few injuries before where he's played a lot of games in quick succession so who knows what the future looks like then.”
While Miley has proven to be an effective right-back, Howe doesn’t see that as his best position. If anything, Howe believes his experience in defence will make him a better midfielder.
Howe continued: “I think what he's done is he's shown he can play that role, which is a great thing for him and his career, whether that's here or the national team, whatever. He's got more strings to his bow than just one or two positions.
“But also I think it will help him when he goes back into midfield and I think you'll see him as a better player in that position for this experience. He's also learning new experiences. This will help him immensely.
“Being a defender is a totally different mindset to being a midfield player so he'll be a more rounded player.”
Howe added: “I think it's important for Lewy to maybe still identify himself as a midfielder. I don't know if that's healthy for him at this moment in time. Who knows what the future holds. 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 thing but this is giving him a way to play games and it's benefiting the team currently.
“The team I think has benefited from his composure, his ability on the ball, the stats that you've just mentioned and his defensive performances have been spot on.
“We've got players coming back from injury that can add a lot in that position as well so as I say, I'll just make a decision based on the next game and who knows what that will be.”
What is certain is whether it’s right-back or centre-mid, Miley deserves to start when Newcastle host Leeds United at St James’ Park on Wednesday night.