Miguel Almiron looks back to his best.
The Paraguayan’s demise had been a sight for sore eyes. His impact was limited, and that famous beaming smile started to disappear.
But since the arrival of Graeme Jones and the latest change in formation, Almiron looks revitalised.
The 27-year-old is now playing centrally – the furthest forward in a midfield diamond.
It’s allowed Almiron to get on the ball and influence proceedings, all the while aided by Newcastle getting more men forward. For all Almiron’s speed, it was wasted running from his own half with no support.
He’s been even more effective off the ball too, with Almiron often leading the press with his speed.
It led to the winner on Saturday, as Allan Saint-Maximin and Miggy’s high press forced an error from the Saints, allowing Almiron to net his second.
After the game, Steve Bruce hailed Almiron, whilst commenting on his positional change.
“With the change in formation and system, the one person who’s benefitted from it all, basically, is Almiron – he’s been terrific,” Bruce told the Shields Gazette.
What was Steve Bruce thinking?
Almiron’s resurgence is great news for Newcastle, but he shouldn’t have needed a resurgence.
During his limited time under Rafa Benitez, Almiron proved what an asset he can be. He was deployed on the left of a fantastic front three, and immediately improved the team.
But inexplicably, Bruce started playing Almiron on the right after his arrival.
He was totally wasted out there. Not only was he playing in a team that didn’t want to attack, but he was doing so in a position he’s never played.
Throughout his career, Almiron has always played on the left or just behind the striker. He’s massively one footed. His right leg is only used to stand on.
Maybe Bruce thought he was going to be the next Arjen Robben out on the right, but at times we’d have been better off with Fabrice Pancrate.
Almiron did get a chance as an attacking midfielder early last year, and he immediately looked better. Then football was put on hold due to the global pandemic.
This season we’ve seen a variety of different roles for Almiron: He’s played on the left, on the right, even as a deeper centre midfielder.
But now he’s back in his favoured position, looking much more comfortable as a result.
Alan Shearer went as far to say that the Southampton win was Almiron’s best performance for the club.
It’s great to see Almiron back to his best, but why on earth has it taken so long for our manager to start playing one of his best player’s in his best position?!
The arrival of new coach Jones has certainly helped, but he can’t have been the only person at the club to realise Almiron has been playing out of position.
If the fans could see it, then surely Bruce could too. Why did it take so long for this change to happen?
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
