Mitro & Arma scoring for fun at Fulham & Blackburn respectively. Mitro netting again tonight with an assist also ( Now 9 in 10 games). This must bode well for us as their transfer fees will rise accordingly and seeing as Rafa doesn't rate them then its more money in the pot for quality signings.
He would have been fantastic when everyone played 442, as the fast foil to a larger striker. Not convinced he'll have a role in the premiership sadly, he's not really a modern number 10 (plays too far advanced) but too small to lead the line effectively.
We have played Perez there all season. Personally I see Arma as having a lot more potential than he has or ever did. I think Rafa did the right thing sending him out and I'm glad he is finally playing in his proper position so he can be assessed properly.
As I said in my other post I'd sack off Gayle (5-10 mil) and Joselu for (2-5m) and spend that money +10mil (say 17-20mil) on a decent CF and then have the two young lads as back up. Feed Mitro he will score, Arma has time to improve and progress, especially under Rafa. Kenedy and Perez can also play up top. Gayle and Joselu have proved this season they aren't worthy of playing second fiddle to Tony from the Dog and Duck let alone NUFC.
Mitro is having his "Cisse" moment in the sun, it's in the Championship though and maybe that's where he belongs or maybe normal service will resume, either way he is not the future for us, we need to seriously bust our transfer record and get a proper striker, it's no good paying peanuts but as long as Ashley remains that's what will happen and with no sale of the club likely it will be back to the cheap end of the market or blocking expenditure at all.
I think everyone agrees we need a new CF, a proven goalscorer, but would you have Gayle and Joselu OR Mitro and Arma as back up to a new striker. Not even a question for me.
I wouldn't have any of them we need better quality at the front and it's time to clear out and take the team forward, I would think this is what Rafa wants but Ashley will not want to spend the money despite there probably being a healthy budget surviving this seasons relegation battle.
Mitrovic in his time at at Fulham is proof enough for me he has the ability to make an impact on English football. He has shown not only can he score but that he has a good all round game. It doesn't look like a flash in the pan for me, it just looks like what we already knew when he arrived. He has a lot of ability and is one of the more promising strikers around of his age group. His pedigree at Anderlecht probably showed that already. His record at PL level is already decent with 10 in 22 starts. I think Mitrovic can certainly do a job at PL level under the right management and in the right system. It simply won't be here due to the manager and also the way he wants to play. That just needs to be accepted by all, including MItrovic. To be honest I don't think Mitrovic will have any interest in remaining at Newcastle while Rafa is here. You can't blame him. I can understand the fans disappointment, I'm disappointed myself. However you've got to also respect that Rafa is doing a good job and one player is not more important than the club. The silver lining is his value has gone through the roof. Regardless of any personal stand points on his ability, there is one thing I think we can all agree on. He has turned out to be an excellent investment at 12m. I'd imagine we will get 18m minimum, but probably more. In terms of Arma, I can't believe anyone would think it wise to give up on him at 21. He is at the right age to become part of the squad next season. The rest is up to him. As a young lad you need to take the limited opportunities that come your way and that is what he will need to do. Lets get him into the squad and then make a judgement. He has gone out on loan and done his bit.
So by your reasoning Mitro's time at Newcastle is the flash in the pan and his form at Fulham is the norm, I also think Rafa is probably better able to judge Mitro than any of us on here and yes managers get it wrong but sometimes they might have a better notion than me or thee with our more amateur eye.
I can't really judge his time here. Under Rafa he has never been anywhere near first choice, he hasn't been really given a run. Hence almost half his appearances are sub appearances. He has scored 10 goals in 22 starts in the PL, but had a further 20 sub appearances. I think sometimes you have to accept some players and managers are like oil and water. Rafa will have his own reasons for not fancying Mitrovic. As a manager if a player doesn't fit your tactics, you have two choices. Change your tactics to suit him, or get a new player who does. Both are viable options. In terms of what we see with an amateur eye, I think you have to respect the professional eye of the Serbia manager, the Anderlecht staff, the Fulham manager and all the other professionals who rate him also. I think he might get a move which will surprise people this summer such is his ability. For the right manager he can be an excellent addition. There seems a desire to accuse Rafa of being wrong about him, or decide Rafa is right about him. I find it strange because it can be both. He can be wrong for Rafa and how he wants to play, and still turn out to really good for someone else. Football has been littered with players who are quality footballers, but certain coaches can't use them. You only have to look at Pep and Ibra at Barca. I don't doubt either but Pep simply didn't want him at the club because of tactical reasons. I'm sure both will continue to be a success in the right environment, it just looks unlikely it will be together.
Yeah but we can't get rid of all 4 of them? Regardless of whether we bought Ronaldo or Messi to play up top you'd need to retain a few as backup. We aren't going to be spending 100's of millions this summer. Who would you keep as back up to a new striker? Gayle Joselu Mitrovic Armstrong As I said for me, I'd kneecap both Gayle and Joselu before even thinking about letting the other two leave.
I think next season for Arma is the make or break time. Playing off at number 10 for me he is going to better than Perez, who is very easily knocked off the ball . He has surely learned his trade out on loan and does score goals wherever he has played. We have nothing to lose .
Number 10 is not his position from what I've seen of him. Number 9 for me but leading the line on his own in the Premier League will be a big ask - I mean, the best he could hope for is as our reserve number 9 - but maybe if we play 2 CFs he would do okay. I'm not at all convinced he could step up tbh. Another season in League 1 would certainly do him no favours though.
I don't think Armstrong will be able to cut it in the Prem. Mitro is definitely capable but I'm not sure if it will happen now. I'd also just like to stick up for Perez for a bit. He's worked his ass off trying to get us safe. Agree he needs to be stronger but he tries really hard and has at the end of the day got us some crucial goals. It takes quite a bit of skill to pull off that lob he scored against Leicester. I actually think he is a straight up goal poacher but because he works hard we use him to do more of the donkey work.
The last couple of months he has been a quality player and a vital cog in keeping us up. He also never complains and seems to do whatever job his manager asks of him. He has a good amount of graft and a good amount of skill, a 6-7 out of 10 in a handful of positions.
If we'd been relegated this season I'd have said Arma and Mitro could have led the line for us. As it stands Mitro will be sold I predict, and Arma will spend 2 more years on loan to League 1/Championship clubs before leaving on a free, or sold this summer for about £3m.
Love Perez, even when I slate him I make it clear as he does have games where you think "jebus" but happens with most young players. Arma up top over Gayle or Joselu for me, will give you the same amount of running and probably has a yard of pace more than the other two and guarenteed can't be worse at finishing!.
