The stars of pre-season are yet to make much of an impact for Newcastle United now the competitive action has started.
While we remain at an early stage of the campaign, Newcastle-born Elliot Anderson is yet to be rewarded for his excellent performances in pre-season with a Premier League start.
Then there’s Lewis Miley.
Though the 17-year-old was never likely to start games against Manchester City, Liverpool or Brighton, the lack of involvement following such a promising summer does seem a little strange considering his performances.
Still, that may soon change.
What Eddie Howe knows about Lewis Miley
Indeed, The Athletic share some interesting insight.
They suggest Eddie Howe is fully aware that the teenager, along with Anderson, can make an impact over the coming months.
With the Champions League set to start after the international break, perhaps more game time will be afforded to Howe’s squad players, with the head coach forced to consider rotation for pretty much the first time since he replaced Steve Bruce.
Important not to get too carried away
While it would be nice to see Miley, hailed as a “baller” by Bruno Guimaraes during pre-season, handed some minutes, there is a balance to be struck.
Howe has called for protection when it comes to the youngster. Football, after all, is littered with stories of players having too much too soon and few would argue against the idea that Newcastle are a club attracting a lot of attention, as well as expectation these days.
Still, at some point, Miley needs to experience first-team football on a more regular basis. Tipped for big things, learning from the likes of Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton can hardly be a bad thing.
With more games on the horizon, Miley should be in with a chance.
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