Let Big Al train Mitrovic
Aleksandar Mitrovic of Newcastle United in action against Leeds United YOU certainly can’t criticise Aleksandar Mitrovic’s passion and commitment to the cause.
The Toon striker is a born winner and every time he steps on that pitch, he gives nothing less than 100 per cent.
He was involved in thick of the action against Leeds United on Friday night and received plenty of praise, but I echo the thoughts of Alan Shearer who said he needs to do more.
We should never expect Mitrovic to play like Dwight Gayle and score all the goals he does. He’s a different type of player to Gayle who is better with back to goal.
I think the best back-to-goal striker I ever watched was Kenny Dalglish.
He mastered that art I just don’t think Mitrovic has quite got right yet, and I think the Serb could do worse than watch the Liverpool legend in action to learn from him.
It’s all well and good being involved in the action like he was, but for me, the ball needs to stick a lot more to him.
He’s happy to get involved in those battles with defenders but far too often the ball is bouncing off him and away. He’s giving possession away.
While he’s by no means to blame for the heartbreaking late goal from Leeds, if he’d been able to just hold the ball up a bit more often, it might have taken the pressure off the defence.
I mention Dalglish, but of course the aforementioned Geordie hero Shearer was great with his back to goal too.
Maybe I’m dreaming here. Maybe too many bridges were burned over the years between Shearer and the hierarchy, but wouldn’t he be perfect to come in as a striker coach for Mitrovic?
Shearer seems quite content with his punditry role at the BBC, but would an offer from his beloved Newcastle and Rafa Benitez convince him otherwise?
It’s easy to forget that Mitrovic is still only young. But he’ll keep making the same mistakes again and again if he’s not taught otherwise. There could be no one better than Shearer to school him.
Overall, the Leeds result was disappointing. But Leeds are a good side. This is still in N e w c a s t l e ’ s hands. They still should return to the top flight.