Andros Townsend’s goal at Luton gave Eddie Howe’s team a much-needed respite from their awful away form.
The fact that Newcastle has only triumphed away from home in the Premier League once this season against the relegation-threatened Hatters must rank among the more disheartening outcomes of Howe’s whole tenure.
Actually, there may have been more, and Luton’s victory was worth it.
Young Lewis Miley also had a somewhat dismal day. After experiencing an extraordinary high after scoring his first goal as a professional against Fulham a week prior, the teenager was taken off the field in the first half.
Howe has now attested to the reasoning behind that.
Lewis Miley: Why Eddie Howe brought Newcastle midfielder off in the first-half against Luton
After the game, Howe acknowledged that Alexander Isak was substituted for Miley solely for tactical reasons, not because of Miley’s play.
“I have always wanted to be in charge of his minutes,” he stated.
Therefore, I didn’t consider it in light of his performance. His performance was not the basis for it. I am aware that it stemmed from a strategic choice. He shouldn’t experience any issues. We also want to supervise his football because he is so young”.
When asked if he was going to speak to Miley, Howe added: “Yeah, I am going to sit down and talk to him of course. It was not something I planned to do.
“It was something instinctive because we weren’t good in the game and we needed to make a change. But there will be no problems with him he will totally understand.”
Lewis Miley: A tough day for Newcastle sensation
While its good to hear Miley wasn’t brought off for his performance, being replaced at that early stage can hardly be a good thing for his confidence.
Still, such has been the rapid-fire way in which he’s adapted to life at the top level, Miley would certainly appear to have the tools to deal with it.
Already impressing in both the Premier League and the Champions League, he has an awfully long time to put it past him.
