In Focus: Magpies need Mig to dig them out of their hole

Fan favourite Miguel Almiron is enjoying a career-best season at Newcastle with 10 goals to his name this term.

The Paraguayan attacker's dribbling ability, creative flair and work ethic have endeared him to the Toon Army and earned a new three-year contract, signed last Friday.

Ahead of the Magpies' trip to Manchester City on Saturday, we turn the spotlight on the South American star.

Bouncing back

Newcastle recruited Almiron from Atlanta United in 2019 but it took some time for the then club-record signing to settle under first Rafael Benitez and later Steve Bruce.

The tricky winger needed 27 league appearances to find the net, but showed versatility and an impressive work-rate which papered over a lack of output.

His early performances resulted in criticism from some, including Jack Grealish who made derogatory comments about Almiron during City's Premier League title celebrations last summer.

This term, he has been a revelation — scoring 10 goals and providing an assist in 23 league outings.

That number far exceeds Grealish's seven goal contributions in 19 appearances, a fact that may not be lost on the travelling Magpies supporters at the Etihad on Saturday lunchtime.

Ready for Eddie

Like many of his team-mates, Almiron has excelled under the tutelage of Eddie Howe, who replaced Bruce in November 2021.

On his English boss, Newcastle's No24 said: "He gives me more freedom.

"Having his trust has given me much more confidence and thankfully the goals are now coming.

"The coach is always hammering home to me to work on my finishing and I stay late to work on that with my left foot and my crosses with my right.

"From the beginning, the gaffer has demanded better numbers from every player.

"We train how we play and games are an extension of training. That’s the biggest difference since the boss came in."

Empowered to offer more creativity in the final third, the left-footed dribbler has attempted 50 take-ons this term, completing 22, ranking 28th in the Premier League.

In addition, he has created 17 chances so far, which suggests his total contributions is only likely to increase.

Ignoring the critics

Despite a thrilling start to this season, Almiron's goalscoring output has slowed in recent weeks, bagging only twice in his last 16 outings.

His dip in form has coincided with an overall lack of goals from the Magpies, who have scored only three times in their last seven league games and fallen out of the top four.

A failure to convert chances continued in Sunday's Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United.

After the trip to City, Newcastle host the Red Devils, Tottenham and Arsenal in the run-in and will need their top scorer this campaign to refind his early-season form to secure their Champions League qualification.

Home comforts

On signing his new contract, Almiron said: "I felt at home at Newcastle from the beginning.

"I've felt very welcomed and I feel like part of the family, so I am very happy to stay here and I am going to keep giving everything on the pitch to thank the people of Newcastle.

"The truth is that I've worked really hard since I came to Newcastle to improve my level and to be where I am at the moment and I also thank the staff and my team-mates, who have helped me a lot during these four years."

A clear show of faith from St James' Park chiefs, an impressive performance against Pep Guardiola's men quieten suggestions Almiron's start to the term was unsustainable. 

It could also offer Howe's men a much-needed reset as they focus on the business end of the campaign.

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