Miguel Almiron

[BenArfa10]

I love the lad but i think it's time for Alain Saint-Maximin to take his place in the team on current form.

Surprisingly Christian Atsu has earned his starting spot this season and deserves to stay in the team. Almiron sadly needs to be the one on the bench.

thoughts?

[ghostrider]

Bench Almiron and you kill his confidence.
He needs to play and score, then his game will likely come alive.

[BenArfa10]

Bench Almiron and you kill his confidence.
He needs to play and score, then his game will likely come alive.

The team is more important than his confidence.

He works hard for sure but drop him and maybe he will do shooting drills before and after training.

He merits a place on the bench right now.

[nufcwelsh93]

Bench Almiron and you kill his confidence.
He needs to play and score, then his game will likely come alive.

I actually feel for miggy, he breaks quickly but its hard to do anything meaningful if you have 1 supporting run (Joelinton)

I think the problem goes deeper than just one player, our attacking play against brighton was terrible, no fluidity , no patterns, a lot of players running around with no direction.

Bruce has no idea imo.

[ghostrider]

I actually feel for miggy, he breaks quickly but its hard to do anything meaningful if you have 1 supporting run (Joelinton)

I think the problem goes deeper than just one player, our attacking play against brighton was terrible, no fluidity , no patterns, a lot of players running around with no direction.

Bruce has no idea imo.

You could say that about Rafa because I saw many a time at St. James' Park where teams like Brighton came and stole the show or a point by leaving us looking like the away team at a top of the table venue.

So, is it Bruce has no idea or is it Bruce has to implement a mentality and confidence into the players to balance out attack and defense with a good midfield to orchestrate it?

It'll take time to stamp his mindset into the squad. Rafa had 3 and a bit seasons and we still ended up going backwards.
Let's just back him and whine and whinge when players don't perform.
Bruce isn't immune to being digged at but digging too early just creates a bigger hole for him and the team, which helps nobody.

Let's see what he does. I'm still confident he'll get it right and finish in a decent position this season. I said 9th and I'll stick to that, because I believe we have the tools for that job once sharpened and fine tuned.

[Cannylad]

You can't fault his enthusiasm,work rate and speed but he just doesn't have the end product. Pity, under a different manager (Rafa?) I think he would have come on rapidly. Maximin looks like he will only get better and yes, I think Atsu deserves his spot. Also I think the jury is still out on Manquillo, he's had a lot of stick but he's no worse than Yedlin and certainly better than Krafth.

[toptoon]

I´d bench him. Coming on as an impact sub when the opposition are tired might just help him get that elusive first assist/goal.

[HughieG]

Yep, bench him as he doesn't seem to be one to moan. He will work hard to get back into the team, and when he does we will see a very good player.

[Geordie1974]

Regardless of how he has been I would always pick him over Atsu if that is the choice.
Not Richie's biggest fan but I would play him one wing and ASM the other.

[HughieG]

If Atsu is playing well and working hard, surely he's earned his place in the team?

A shame leaving him out because "Atsu is Atsu". If he's on a good run and Miggy isn't then it's worth considering playing the former.