Newcastle boss Howe is doing what Bruce couldn’t with Almiron

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Miguel Almiron was Newcastle United’s star against Fulham, and Eddie Howe deserves a huge amount of praise for what he’s doing with the Paraguayan.

The 28-year-old scored twice in the 4-1 win over Fulham, including an absolutely incredible volley in the first half. He almost got a hat-trick, but was denied by the offside flag.

Almiron currently has three Premier League goals this season, having only managed one last time out. He’s continued the good form he showed during pre-season, and Miggy is contributing in the final third on a much more regular basis.

That has always been the problem for Almiron during his Newcastle career. He’s struggled for consistent goals and assists, while his best position has never been clear.

Now he regularly plays on the right of midfield for Howe – a position that he seriously struggled in when Steve Bruce was manager.

Almiron now looks settled on the right under Howe

When he joined Newcastle for £21million in 2019, Almiron first played as a left winger. He suited that position perfectly for Rafa Benitez. But injury disrupted his debut season in black and white.

By the time he returned to fitness, Benitez was gone and had been replaced by Bruce. And he had a different plan for the Paraguay internatonal.

Almiron would end up playing right wing, but often looked incredibly awkward. He was unable to influence games on that side.

We often criticised Bruce for playing Almiron there. It seemed like an incredibly foolish decision given his level of performance.

Then Howe came in, and he has also played Almiron on the right. It has taken time, but he finally looks comfortable out there and capable of making a difference.

We’ve seen Almiron get in dangerous positions time and time again this season. Whether it’s with Bruno Guimaraes or Kieran Trippier, he is combining brilliantly down the right and getting in behind defences.

That simply wasn’t happening in the past. He wasn’t a threat at all on the right for Bruce.

But Howe is getting a tune out of Almiron, who no longer looks like he is playing out of position.