'Potentially': Eddie Howe sees big future for Lewis Miley after quality Kieran Trippier gesture last night
Newcastle United recorded an impressive 3-0 win over PSV at St James' Park on Wednesday night, putting them in a fantastic position to go on to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League without the need for a play-off.
Of course, Newcastle will have to overcome PSG on their own turf next week, but if they play like they did last night, they'll have every chance to do so.
Goals from each of the starting front three saw the Magpies move onto 13 points in the table, the same total as six other teams, including PSG, who are above the Magpies by virtue of goals scored.
Even though Newcastle put in a top performance and scored three goals, last night's lasting memory was seeing 19-year-old local lad Lewis Miley being handed the captain's armband to see out the game.
Eddie Howe sees Lewis Miley as a future captain of Newcastle United
As Kieran Trippier was withdrawn on 85 minutes, he passed the armband to Miley, who had come on in the first half to replace the injured Bruno Guimaraes. The roar in the stadium was fantastic, followed by chants of 'He's one of our own'.
Speaking after the game, Eddie Howe was asked if he sees Miley as a captain with the Toon gaffer admitting that it's something that may well be in his future.
"Very much so, I think he is potentially a future captain of the football club. Which, for someone so young, is a big statement, really. I think it was a spontaneous moment from Kieran. I wanted to protect Kieran and try and give him the best chance to stay fit, so I thought it was the right time to withdraw him, and he's given the captaincy to Lewey. But it was actually quite a poignant moment and a nice one for Lewey and his family, and I thought he was excellent when he came on today."
Newcastle must keep hold of Lewis Miley and Lewis Hall for many years
The likes of Lewis Miley and Lewis Hall are absolutely the future of this football club, and we need to do all we can to keep them here. With both of them being boyhood Newcastle fans, they understand the fanbase too, which is hugely important.
We'd love to see Miley captaining the side in the future, but just having him in the side right now is good enough.
The circumstances of his inclusion last night weren't ideal, replacing Bruno, but the highest compliment we can possibly pay the lad is that we didn't miss the captain when he went off because Miley stepped up so well.
