1st PL start in 24/25: Newcastle can replace Joelinton with "special" star

Newcastle United’s resurgence has hit a snag over the past several weeks, and Eddie Howe knows that his side need to win at home against Nottingham Forest this afternoon to restore the feel-good factor.

Instead, a spate of frustrating results have knocked the Magpies’ recent performances, with Howe admitting “we weren’t at our best” after last week’s 4-0 defeat at Manchester City.

The loss at the Etihad, United’s bogey ground in the Premier League, is unfortunately not an outlier across the recent weeks of the campaign, with Newcastle having lost previous St. James’ Park fixtures against Bournemouth and Fulham, with a win away at Southampton sandwiched in between.

Positive form now needs to return, with crucial fixtures across a number of competitions ahead.

Now, Forest come to Tyneside as they look to rebound from a recent loss against Fulham, with the competing sides warring for a place in next season’s Champions League.

It won’t be easy, with Howe dealing with a host of injury problems.

Newcastle injury latest

Howe revealed in his pre-match press conference that Sven Botman is enduring complications in his return from injury and Chris Wood, in particular, will be delighted with the news.

Jamal Lascelles remains a long-term absentee, while Joelinton continues his rehabilitation after missing out on the past three matches in all competitions with a knee injury.

The plan is to have Joelinton fit and firing in the build-up to Newcastle’s Carabao Cup final showdown, but for now, Howe must endure with his existing options.

Howe fielded a midfield trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock during last weekend’s Manchester City defeat and the Shields Gazette branded all three with 4/10 match ratings, steamrolled against Pep Guardiola’s struggling side.

Forest will bring physicality to Tyneside, and Howe might want to make a change, bringing one of Newcastle’s own into the starting mix.

The Newcastle star who can replace Joelinton

Sean Longstaff has been an important player for Howe over the past several years, featuring 128 times in all competitions. Only Fabian Schar, Dan Burn and Guimaraes have played more often.

However, if the 27-year-old is to have a role against the Tricky Trees, it should come from the bench, for there is another Toon native who should start in Lewis Miley.

Miley, who only turned 18 at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, has played ten times this term but has yet to start in the Premier League, with most of his opening half of the campaign blighted by injury.

With Man City running rampant last weekend, however, the rangy midfielder was introduced after the break, replacing the beleaguered Willock.

He did okay. Miley won all four of his duels, made two tackles and took 20 touches, as per Sofascore, demonstrating physical growth that combines with his naturally silky passing game.

Already with 37 senior appearances to his name despite missing much of the season with injury, Miley has scored twice – netting against Bromley in the FA Cup last month – while also placing four assists.

Indeed, the Magpies’ youngest Premier League player ranked among the top 15% of midfielders in the 2023/24 edition for assists and the top 23% for tackles won per 90, as per FBref, perfectly illustrating his creativity and robustness.

The likes of Longstaff were awed by the youngster’s natural ability last season, with Miley’s fellow midfielder hailing his “unbelievable” talent.

Willock did not show the desired authority nor dynamism against Man City last weekend, losing 60% of his duels and failing to complete a dribble. It was no surprise that Howe opted to shake things up for the second half.

Miley, of course, is no Joelinton, but this energy and boyish avidity could work in Newcastle’s favour, especially alongside the tough and talented Bruno and the elegant Tonali.

His ability to win defensive battles against the Sky Blue must now be transferred over to the forthcoming fixture. It was clear that Joelinton’s bullish presence was missed, the Brazilian winning 5.6 duels, making 5.4 recoveries and completing 2.0 tackles per game on average in the Premier League this term, as per Sofascore.

In the first half at the Etihad, City won 57% of the match duels. Contrast that with the outcome in the latter – Newcastle winning 54% – and you observe that the 6 foot 2 Miley’s introduction worked a treat, bringing mettle and bite to a team that looked uncharacteristically sapped of its usual vigour.

It won’t be easy, for Forest are one of the most physical outfits in the division and will look to capitalise on Newcastle’s bruises after their recent run of results.

But how many times have we seen this side soak up the damage and endure? Howe knows his stuff on the tactics front, and if he makes the call to hand Miley his first Premier League start of the season, this talented teenager, described as “something very special” by journalist Mark Carruthers, might just hold the key to securing a much-needed victory.

Related

Newcastle could unleash their own Nwaneri who’s “one of the best” prospects

Eddie Howe will be preparing to work his magic on this talented youngster.