RAF’ TRADE
FULHAM v NEWCASTLE
(right)
ROB ELLIOT is tempted to stick a tenner on Aleksandar Mitrovic topping the goalscoring charts at the World Cup in Qatar. But the former Toon and Ireland goalkeeper insists ex-Magpies boss Rafa Benitez was right to ditch the Serbian striker after just over two seasons at St James’ Park.
Since then, the goals have flowed for Mitrovic.
The 28-year-old has already passed a century of goals for Fulham and he comes up against the Geordies at Craven Cottage today with six in seven Premier League games.
And he helped Serbia win promotion to the top tier of the Nations League this week with a goal in the 2-0 win over Norway when Erling Haaland drew a blank.
Mitrovic’s Newcastle departure still splits opinion with the Toon Army but according to Elliot he was never the right fit for Benitez or the team.
“Look, he didn’t leave because he wasn’t good enough,” said Elliot, now working alongside another Toon old boy Mike Williamson at National League Gateshead.
“And there was nothing wrong with his attitude, either. You used to have to kick him out of the gym — he was always first in and last out. The truth is he was never a Rafa Benitez-kind of player.
“Maybe there was a bit of a personality clash but Rafa had a certain way of playing and Mitro never really fitted into it. He wasn’t one of those forwards who will run the channels like Dwight Gayle was prepared to do.
Level
“Mitro liked to play one way, the gaffer’s philosophy was very different and they were never going to meet in the middle. Now he’s in a good place at both club and international level.”
Mitrovic scored 17 goals at Newcastle but in his last two years there he was on the bench more than on the pitch and a parting of the ways became inevitable.
Ex-Boys in Green star Elliot was sad to see him go but is not surprised he has flourished with the Cottagers.
“Both Fulham and Serbia play to his strengths,” he added.
“Mitro is a monster when it comes to getting on the end of crosses. And he is going to be a handful at any level when he’s made the focal point.
“Both those teams get the ball wide and then whip it in as often as possible.
“Their style of play is made for someone like him and he is proving that with the amount of goals he’s scoring. “Looking at his odds to finish top scorer at the World Cup, I may have a bet. Serbia won’t win the tournament but you wouldn’t rule out him scoring a few.”
Mitrovic was accused of being a ‘flat-track bully’ in English football, scoring goals for fun in the Championship but not quite cutting it in the Premier League. Elliot never adhered to that school of thought.
“I faced him in training every day and not only was he brilliant in the air, his overall finishing was first class too,” he said.
“With his physical strength, he was always a handful to deal with in the box. He also had quick reactions and could sniff chances — just what you’re looking for in a striker.”