NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Lewis Miley of Newcastle United during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Bradford City at St James’ Park on September 24, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has described criticism of midfielder Lewis Miley last week as “totally unjustified”.
Miley, 19, was forced to restrict comments on his social media posts due to abuse from a minority of supporters after Newcastle’s 0-0 draw at Bournemouth on Sunday. The player responded with an excellent performance in the win over Bradford City on Wednesday.
Howe said Miley needs support and cannot understand why any supporter would abuse their own player, though there has been significant backlash against the negativity he has received this week.
“I just think that would be totally unjustified,” Howe told reporters at his press conference before Sunday’s Premier League match against Arsenal at St James’ Park.
“For me, Lewey is an outstanding player and he’s a player we need to support and protect. You mention his age and sometimes when you look at him you forget how young he is because the stature of him, his maturity both on and off the pitch, but I think with all players they need support, they need help, they need guidance.
“Anything other that that I’d encourage the player to switch off from and just try and listen to the people that really matter in their lives. That would be family and friends, but of course us and we will do everything we can to support him and treat him as the talent that we know he is.
“Lewey and all the players unfortunately have to deal with this world that is there.”
Social media has long been a source of debate, about whether it is healthy for players to be on it. Howe said he will do everything he can to support Miley, having had his own brief experiences with fan opinion from his playing days.
“If you open yourself up to it and you absorb it, then it can affect you, but I think Lewey is very mature for his age, he’s strong mentally, but it’s our job to protect all the players, and I’m not talking about Lewey, I’m talking about everybody, their own thoughts and their own views on themselves.
“It’s so important that players maintain their confidence when they enter the pitch and they blank out all the noise. It’s important for me to do that as much as anybody else in my role and, really, I critique myself. I don’t need anyone else to do it for me.
“(Social media) was around and I did absorb a bit and it didn’t help me so I cut it off very quickly because I didn’t like what I was reading.”
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Lewis Miley (C) speaks with Newcastle United Head Coach Eddie Howe (L) during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on December 11, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Lewis Miley does not deserve abuse from Newcastle United fans
Nobody should be made to feel like they cannot share freely on social media, and players cannot be subject to abuse for performances. Criticism is part of the game and everybody needs a thick skin to succeed, but that line was crossed by a small number of Newcastle supporters last week.
But what makes the specifics of the case with Miley so mystifying is that he is a Newcastle fan at heart, who came through the club’s academy and is arguably its most successful graduate in years. Certainly, nobody has established themselves as early as he has.
He is still only 19, and at 17 he was not only playing for Newcastle in the Premier League and Champions League but thriving at the highest level. Many at the club expect him to soon be an England regular in the future.
Howe is correct, Miley’s criticism was unjustified, not just because he should be celebrated as a local boy done good, representing the fans and Newcastle as a city. But his performance at Bournemouth was far from terrible; it was difficult for the entire team to impact the game effectively in attack; Howe set up in a way to contain the home side, and Miley helped do that.
He then put in an excellent showing against Bradford, showing how he can be more effective in a more creative way. Even if his form dips, that is natural for a teenager and somebody who is yet to play consistently in the first team.
Lewis Miley is a youth product with the capability of reaching the very top. Newcastle have not seen many players emerge like that; he should be cherished and supported, not abused.