Newcastle star hails Toon youngster as superb talent with amazing future
Former Newcastle United player Lee Clark has heaped praise on Toon teenager Lewis Miley for his recent performances in a black and white shirt.
Miley has struggled for first-team football this season, but has impressed over recent weeks after coming back into Eddie Howe’s side for games against Everton and Spurs.
Clark knows what it’s like to work his way up through the ranks and break into the first team at St James’ Park, making his debut in the early 90s before being an integral part of Kevin Keegan’s “Entertainers” side that won admirers up and down the country for their style of play.
Speaking to Bet442, Clark said: “Lewis Miley is a superb young talent. We forget how young he is, even though it seems he’s been around for so long.
“He is starting to bring more to his game and express himself with goals and assists. He has an amazing future ahead of him.”
When asked about his lack of first-team opportunities this season, Clark stated: “He’s obviously competing with top-level midfielders in the form of Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton, but these players will also be helping him massively.”
Speaking about Tonali, Clark is a big admirer of the Italian and believes he is among the best in the Premier League, saying: “Sandro Tonali is right up there with the best central midfield players in the Premier League.
“He is an old-fashioned box-to-box midfielder who can run, pass, tackle and score.”
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Like Miley and Tonali, Clark played in central midfield and speaking ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby on Sunday, he believes that will be where the game is likely to be won or lost.
He said: “The midfield battle will be the key to the game. I believe whoever dominates in that area will give their team the best chance of winning.”
Further up the pitch, Newcastle have relied solely on Nick Woltemade in the centre-forward position, with fellow summer signing Yoane Wissa suffering an injury on international duty, shortly after his arrival, and not yet appearing in a black and white shirt.
Clark believes the pair can play effectively together, in the same Newcastle team, when Wissa returns, adding: “I 100% believe Wissa and Woltemade can play together in this Newcastle team, as they have different assets that complement each other.
“Wissa’s return will give Eddie Howe great scope to change the formation and tactics. It will also give the team another weapon in the attacking areas.”
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