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Mikel Merino (now playing for Real Sociedad)


Disco

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He came on at a difficult moment since we had looked completely toothless all second half already. Had a few mixed touches early on and was constantly under pressure when he had the ball.

Thought he did as well as could have been expected at that point.

He looks so relaxed on the ball though. He only needs to get used to that he doesn't always have as much time on the ball that he thinks he has.

Which I think he was getting the hang of before the injuries started to kick in which has set him back a bit on that. But all in all I'm impressed over how well he has managed the pace, despite coming from a different league and not being that experienced yet.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Pathetic today like. Weak as water in the challenge.

 

Such a shame, he's really regressed from that early season class form.

 

Such a shame that he's had a back injury described as the worst he has faced in his career? And then being in and out of the side only to get hoyed in against the most attacking team in the country because Jonjo hurt his knee?

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Seems to me that his role in the team has changed quite a bit since the start of the season. He seemed to have a bit more freedom to create and drive the team forward, but now he's being asked to just sit in front of the defence and move it on as quickly as possible. It also doesn't help him that there's absolutely nobody that far in front of him apart from a ridiculously isolated centre forward offering passing options.

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Pathetic today like. Weak as water in the challenge.

 

Such a shame, he's really regressed from that early season class form.

 

Such a shame that he's had a back injury described as the worst he has faced in his career? And then being in and out of the side only to get hoyed in against the most attacking team in the country because Jonjo hurt his knee?

 

He's had about 3 or 4 good games in our shirt, lets not get carried away.

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I already stated my disdain for his perfomance tonight, thought was strolling around too much at points.

 

Like I said though last week though, he can't replace Shelvey, he doesn't have the passing range to do so. He's more similar to Diame

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Pathetic today like. Weak as water in the challenge.

 

Such a shame, he's really regressed from that early season class form.

 

Such a shame that he's had a back injury described as the worst he has faced in his career? And then being in and out of the side only to get hoyed in against the most attacking team in the country because Jonjo hurt his knee?

 

He's had about 3 or 4 good games in our shirt, lets not get carried away.

 

And he's played the equivalent of 14 games with a bad injury in between. He's also 21 in a new league playing for a team tipped for relegation :thup:

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Boy could we do with the MM from the start of the loan period. Couldn't quite interpret the odd expression on his face on Saturday. He looked more distressed than knackered. Wonder if something is going on/has happened to him?

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Guest Howaythetoon

I think he has the potential to be a quality player, but our system, the way we play and the tactics we deploy don’t suit his game. He likes to get on the ball, spears play, be more forward advanced and likes some time on the ball. I think that and his fitness is why he’s been on the bench a lot, mind Shelvey and Diame have looked good together and Diame is arguably first name on the team-sheet after Lascelles for what he brings to the team.

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I think he has the potential to be a quality player, but our system, the way we play and the tactics we deploy don’t suit his game. He likes to get on the ball, spears play, be more forward advanced and likes some time on the ball. I think that and his fitness is why he’s been on the bench a lot, mind Shelvey and Diame have looked good together and Diame is arguably first name on the team-sheet after Lascelles for what he brings to the team.

He'll be class next season if we stay up and still have Rafa imo. Full pre season, come back fit and fully Rafa'd up. He's got the quality just needs to adapt to the league I think, and not be fucked obviously.
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Guest Howaythetoon

I think he has the potential to be a quality player, but our system, the way we play and the tactics we deploy don’t suit his game. He likes to get on the ball, spears play, be more forward advanced and likes some time on the ball. I think that and his fitness is why he’s been on the bench a lot, mind Shelvey and Diame have looked good together and Diame is arguably first name on the team-sheet after Lascelles for what he brings to the team.

He'll be class next season if we stay up and still have Rafa imo. Full pre season, come back fit and fully Rafa'd up. He's got the quality just needs to adapt to the league I think, and not be f***ed obviously.

 

Only if we improve on others around him.

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I think he has the potential to be a quality player, but our system, the way we play and the tactics we deploy don’t suit his game. He likes to get on the ball, spears play, be more forward advanced and likes some time on the ball. I think that and his fitness is why he’s been on the bench a lot, mind Shelvey and Diame have looked good together and Diame is arguably first name on the team-sheet after Lascelles for what he brings to the team.

He'll be class next season if we stay up and still have Rafa imo. Full pre season, come back fit and fully Rafa'd up. He's got the quality just needs to adapt to the league I think, and not be f***ed obviously.

 

Only if we improve on others around him.

I still think he'll come back better in a second season regardless.
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Guest Howaythetoon

Oh aye, better than what e are seeing now, fitness would help that, but if he’s to fulfill his potential we need better players around him (obviously) and to change the way we are set up and how we play which will hopefully come about through better players.

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Guest reefatoon

Seems to have lost his confidence. Needs to get that back and start doing what we all know he is capable of.

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  • 3 weeks later...

He told the Chronicle: “The dream is to play in a World Cup or the Euros with Spain.

 

“That’s the dream for anybody in the Under-21s or Under-18s or the categories below.

 

“It’s the dream and the hope for me too.

 

“And I hope one day I am the one to be there.

 

“I know it’s going to be really difficult because it’s only the best of the best get there in the Spanish national team because it’s one of the best teams in the world.

 

“I hope that one day that if things go well and I am at the right level I will be there.

 

“It would be great if that Spanish cap comes when I am a Newcastle United player.

 

“I know I am at a great club and Newcastle is a great place too.

 

“This is a great scenario to show everybody what I can do.

 

“If I am able to play for Newcastle and Spain at senior level that will be great.”

 

“I am always pleased and really proud to be called up to the national team.

 

“It’s an honour for me to represent the country at Under-21 level.

 

“Of course, joining up with my friends and playing that level of football that I enjoy and love means a lot to me.”

 

“Of course, you are always going to need time to adapt.

 

“It’s a new country, a new style of football, and I am learning a lot of things.

 

“I am learning things about life at the moment - not just football.

 

“I’m in England and I am learning a lot.

 

“I am improving my skills as a person and human being as well, not just a footballer.

 

“I am really happy for that and it’s different from Spain.

 

“And it’s a bigger difference from being in Germany.

 

“Germany and England are both cold places, there’s not too much sun in the winter.”

 

“Newcastle people are awesome and really kind to me.

 

“I am enjoying the city.

 

“It’s different for me as I am used to seeing more sun, eating different food, and it is hard to live without the things you are used to.

 

“But I think I am used to living in Newcastle and enjoy it.

 

“The weather may be cold but the Geordie people are very warm.

 

“They make it a warm city.

 

“That is the great thing about Newcastle, the people are so kind you don’t even know it has dipped beneath three degrees!”

 

“It is amazing to see the stadium in the middle of the city.

 

“That’s great because the stadium is so big everybody can go on a match day and it’s always full.

 

“But it’s a beautiful thing to see.

 

“If you go out for a hot drink or meet friends, wherever you go in the city you look up and St James’ Park.

 

“It’s a lovely city and the city gives a lot of love back to the players.

 

“I am happy to live here.

 

“Sometimes the Geordie people recognise me when I am in the city and they always have nice words for me.

 

“It’s lovely to have this type of affection.

 

“It has helped me and my team-mates to carry on and it makes it easier to work here.”

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