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He's been neat, tidy and composed since he was first  thrown into big games last season and never been fazed by any team or opponent. Remarkable at 17/18 at that level.

While we're starting to see a bit more of what he's capable of in final balls and scoring, with a lot more to come, what I really noticed today was his scrapping in the  midfield congestion. He was getting involved in it, winning most of them and also winning a lot of important headers in tight situations.

Maybe first signs of really coming of age.

 

 

Edited by Benwell Lad

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On 23/02/2025 at 23:53, Benwell Lad said:

He's been neat, tidy and composed since he was first  thrown into big games last season and never been fazed by any team or opponent. Remarkable at 17/18 at that level.

While we're starting to see a bit more of what he's capable of in final balls and scoring, with a lot more to come, what I really noticed today was his scrapping in the  midfield congestion. He was getting involved in it, winning most of them and also winning a lot of important headers in tight situations.

Maybe first signs of really coming of age.

 

 

 

That had been my main concern, he didn't seem to try to win a 50/50 by strength but by nicking it, only winning it with his foot and not using his body if that makes sense. As you say,maybe a sign of coming of age as he has the technicals.

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I thought he was much more competitive  aerially than we have seen from him previously.

 

So he should be to be honest, my mate met him recently when his kid was playing against his younger brother and he said he is a bit of a monster physically when you see him close up.

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On 23/02/2025 at 23:26, The College Dropout said:

With his technical gifts I want to see him control more of a game. 

 

Do you have an example of a midfielder who controlled a game last weekend? Just so we have a yardstick to beat 18 year old Miley with.

 

I do feel you just use words for the sake of it sometimes :lol:

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2 hours ago, Shearergol said:

 

Do you have an example of a midfielder who controlled a game last weekend? Just so we have a yardstick to beat 18 year old Miley with.

 

I do feel you just use words for the sake of it sometimes :lol:

Not a criticism.  A few pages back I said wow about him.  He’s brilliant for an 18 year old. 
 

The best young central midfielder I’ve seen is Ceac Fabregas. Cesc was dominating PL games like he was 25 years old. 
 

Mileys great - technically, his touch, dribbling in tight areas and passing is excellent. And he’s got great size now.  And an eye for goal. Already I think he can bring what Longstaff brings and more. That next level is ‘ok this is my game now’. He dictates the flow of the game.  At their best that’s what each of our 3 in midfield can do in their own way. 
 

Miley has great ability.  That puts him above the Longstaffs and co. I hope he can play himself into 4th choice CM or a rotation option.  But long-term his ability to control a game (or not) will make or break his good he can become. His floor is high - I’m thinking about his ceiling.  

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4 minutes ago, joeyt said:

The way we play it's going to be hard for any midfielder who isn't the central one to "control a game" whatever that means

 

I was thinking this. We are setup for conceding "control" of the game to press and win turn overs high up pitch, capitalise on forced errors and also counter quickly. The only times we control things from middle is against teams camped in their half doing the low block.

 

It's not the best for countering a physically engaging side wanting to impose on us, especially through the middle, due to a severe lack of athleticism and pace between both centre of defence and centre of midfield. City game or second half of Forest game case and point.

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7 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton have all controlled/dominated games for us in different ways.  
 

The next step for Miley is imposing himself on a game. That’s how he closes the gap to those Brazilian and Italian internationals ahead of him. 

 

They were useless against Bournemouth, Fulham at home etc. - games you would excpect those 3 to control or dominate a game.

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7 minutes ago, The College Dropout said:

Tonali, Bruno and Joelinton have all controlled/dominated games for us in different ways.  
 

The next step for Miley is imposing himself on a game. That’s how he closes the gap to those Brazilian and Italian internationals ahead of him. 

 

They were useless against Bournemouth, Fulham at home etc. - games you would excpect those 3 to control or dominate a game.

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5 minutes ago, Steve Charlton said:

Good question in the press conference to Eddie about Miley "Is there a player you'd want want him to study as he develops"
 

I thought of Ballack 

Vieira.

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