Eddie Howe told to make one Newcastle starting XI change vs Sunderland – ‘He should be first name on the teamsheet’
Newcastle supporters want to see one of their own in Lewis Miley starting on Sunday in the Wear-Tyne derby against Sunderland.
Durham-born midfielder Miley joined the Magpies’ academy at seven-years-old and progressed through their youth set-up to make his first-team debut for his boyhood club in May 2023.
He became Newcastle’s youngest-ever Premier League player in that game against Chelsea, and he has continued to impress over the last two years, with numerous appearances in the Champions League and two goals in 19 outings last season.
Football Insider revealed in the summer that Newcastle had no plans to let Miley leave, and their decision to keep hold of him despite interest from Ipswich Town and other clubs abroad has proven to be the correct one in recent months.
Eddie Howe has some huge calls to make regarding his starting eleven as the Magpies face Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time in nine years on Sunday (14 December), with the 19-year-old ready to take centre stage after recent performances.
Miley has been a catalyst for Newcastle’s better recent form
Newcastle have not lost any of the four Premier League games that Miley has started in this season, with one goal and two assists in 11 appearances.
He netted a well-taken goal in their 4-1 win over Everton last month after successive starts, but was dropped to the bench for their last two games against Burnley and Bayer Leverkusen after Joelinton returned to full fitness.
Miley still made his mark at the BayArena on Wednesday (10 December) as he stepped off the bench for the big Brazilian to put the Magpies into the lead late on with a thumping header.
Howe’s side looked more assured in midfield with the 19-year-old next to Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali, and his performance as a substitute has given the Newcastle boss a selection dilemma ahead of Sunday’s huge derby clash.
Newcastle fans tell Howe to start Miley over Joelinton vs Sunderland
Football Insider recently revealed that Howe does not want Newcastle to sell Miley in January after it was previously rumoured that he could depart with some midfield transfer targets on their radar.
Joelinton is undeserving of a start against Sunderland after some poor performances in the last few weeks, and Newcastle fans want to see Miley start over him at the Stadium of Light.
Taking to X, one fan posted: “Miley should be first name on the team sheet tbh” while another said: “Lewis Miley should and deserves to start in the derby on Sunday.”
Another added: “Joelinton is no longer a starter. Miley has claimed his starting place this season. Which is how competition for places should work!”
While one supporter said: “Miley will be another Anderson, barely get minutes, dropped when everyone fit and then will be sold for PSR and go on to be a £80m+ midfielder, Howe needs to start him and trust him, been our best midfielder whenever he’s came on the pitch.”