Eddie Howe has made a bold Newcastle United decision – and I’m backing it 100%

Joelinton’s absence is a body blow for a Champions League-chasing Newcastle United but thankfully Eddie Howe has three midfielders in reserve, each equally itching for their shot in the first-team once again. Joe Willock was the fortunate body to be given the nod last weekend against Ipswich Town, with Lewis Miley and Sean Longstaff resigned to the bench from the outset.

Willock will be the first to admit he failed to take his shot in the comfortable St James’ Park win, with Howe admitting the player will be all the better for his recent run out. The general consensus is that the ex-Arsenal man will indeed return to his former self with the help of regular appearances – an opinion Howe himself is publicly echoing.

There is equally significant clamour for Miley to be given his shot in this team. The 19-year-old, who was so impressive when breaking into the side, has been restricted to just one Premier League start this term – with interest growing in his signature.
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Howe insists the teen is ‘pivotal’ to the direction of travel on Tyneside but for now, it appears, he will end the campaign as a bit-part player before waiting for the chance to impress in pre-season.

Howe has made his decision – a bold one leaving Miley out – and I, for one, back it. Short memories aside, Willock still has a part to play in this team. He has shown, earlier this season in cup games against Arsenal and Chelsea particularly, he can flourish on the left-side of this United midfield.

The 25-year-old is the definition of his confidence player; one who feeds off momentum. He is the biggest goal threat of the three midfielders in reserve and there was clear frustration at times when his attacking exploits yielded nothing against the Tractor Boys last time out.
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There will be hunger to put those wrongs right in the coming weeks. “We still have a lot of faith in Joe and I think he’s a like-for-like replacement [for Joelinton] really,” Howe told reporters this week.

“He does a lot of his best work on the left hand side of the pitch as Joelinton does. For me he’s got goalscoring instincts, he’s a very attack-minded player, very quick and athletic, a really good ball carrier.

“Let’s not forget Joe’s had some important contributions this season, most notably really in the Carabao Cup, where he scored some big goals for us. But also my mind goes back to the Arsenal game, at the Emirates, where I thought he was excellent that day, so no doubting his quality, yes, probably needs to feel that run of games to be at his very best. Hopefully he can show that.”

Willock has four games to stamp his authority on this side, remind those with short memories of his place in this side and keep Miley from stealing his spot in this side. I’m backing the Toon star to come good at the business end of the campaign.