"One interesting trend this season partly caused by injuries has been the revival of utility players. Like Dominik Szoboszlai, Lewis Miley is dropping in to right-back from midfield effectively, while Reece James has moved the other way for Chelsea. At Manchester City, Pep Guardiola who was shifting players around before it was cool has settled on Nico O'Reilly and Matheus Nunes as his starting full-backs. Anyone I'm missing? And who are your favourite everymen from down the years?"
"Those Newcastle injuries: today Howe is without Burn, Livramento, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Emil Krafth, Jamaal Lascelles, William Osula and Nick Pope. No Premier League team has more players out at present, but there are more than 130 players nursing some kind of issue, according to Premier Injuries. It's almost like they play too many games, or something."
Newcastle suffered a shambolic, shameful defeat last weekend, intensifying pressure to secure a positive result. The team has lacked consistency, frequently taking one step forward and two steps back. Injuries have been widespread, with multiple defenders and the goalkeeper unavailable, leaving the squad short-handed. A leadership vacuum exists on the pitch, and Bruno cannot be expected to constantly lift the team. Lewis Miley exemplifies quiet consistency, adaptability and calm under pressure. A broader trend this season has been the revival of utility players, with midfielders and full-backs swapping roles across several clubs. Manager Eddie Howe emphasized a desire for goalmouth action and to repay fan support.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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