Newcastle are beginning to dominate the Championship after a slow start to new life in the division and having won their last 5 consecutive league games, they sit atop the log, 3 points away from 2nd placed Brighton. Their fine league form was also extended into the EFL, with a 6-nil drubbing of fellow Championship side Preston North End securing them a spot in the quarter-finals where they will face Hull City.
An Aleksandar Mitrovic brace helped see off the 9th placed side and with that, the Serbian international took his goal tally for this season to 3 having gotten his first against QPR in the middle of September.
Primarily a fringe player in Rafa Benitez’s side, the 22-year-old centre-forward has played just 152 minutes of Championship football this season, coming off the bench in 5 out of all his 6 appearances.
However, his finishing abilities in recent times prove that he should be starting games than coming off the bench. Having found the back of the net in 5 of his last 7 starts for Newcastle at St James’ Park, Mitrovic have proven to have a knack for scoring goals as a starter at home, and it’s a quality and weapon Benitez must put to good use.
Perhaps it comes down to Mitrovic being more at home at Saint James’ Park, and able to bring out his best in front of goal within the familiar scenery, or starting games in front of the home crowd is just a huge source of inspiration for him. Whatever it is, it’s more than sheer luck, and it is a strength the coach must capitalize on.
1 – Aleksandar Mitrovic has scored in five of his last seven starts for Newcastle at St James’ Park. Handful.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 25, 2016
While it is out of question to drop the league’s highest goal scorer and striking sensation Dwight Gayle just to accommodate Mitrovic’s goalscoring prowess due to his home record whenever he starts game, finding a way to pair the 2 upfront, or deploying the Serb as a supporting striker behind the former Crystal Palace player shouldn’t be the hardest task there is. Some chances are just worth taking when the possibility of getting a win-win situation is evident.
If Mitrovic’s best form comes in the beginning of games at home rather than in few minutes of action as a substitute, then the best bet is to play to his strength. Goals aren’t Newcastle’s problems at the moment, but they sure can do with a lot more as they continue to make light work of their Championship rivals.
At 22, there is still a lot for Mitrovic to learn, but the confidence to do so will only come with more playing time. His discipline definitely is a major hindrance considering how he is quick and prone to lose his cool and temper, but it is a weakness Benitez can help harness and turn to strength.
All that aggression and anger can be useful in front of goal and in bullying defenders to help contribute to the attack. Mitrovic is rough around the edges and needing a lot of polishing, but the end product has a lot of promises, and Rafa should endeavour to bring out the best in him by all means possible.
It will yield great results now and in the near future, but it all starts with him being used more often.
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