The Serb and the Spanish dilemma

At the start of the season in August I picked 2 players out from the relegation squad who I thought would play key parts this season. Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Both players are well liked by the Geordie public - Mitrovic especially has a cult following which is a little bit curious given his lack of form and goals since he signed for the club a year ago. They’re both extremely likeable fellas off the pitch, both speak highly of the club, the area and the fans. Both are young and certainly show promise but they’re complete opposites on the pitch. Mitrovic is full of passion, full of heart and desire. He fights for everything, argues with everyone and never shirks a challenge. Perez on the other-hand is a bit of gentle in his play, he rarely gets stuck in, he often bottles challenges, he’s more about a deft touch, or a little flick than bulldozing through the defenders.

The problem is though, neither have featured much this season at all.

Mitrovic was of course suspended for the first 4 games of the season but even still, he barely featured in Rafa’s Premiership side last season, instead being used as an impact substitution; a role he has filled this season regularly too.

Perez has started a few games this season and I thought with his fellow Spaniard’s guidance, Perez in particular would flourish against lesser opposition. But he hasn’t, he’s actually been extremely poor. In the summer he was linked with Barcelona, most recently he was dropped completely from the NUFC match day squad.

We all know this season is a squad game though. Gone are the days when we can pick a starting 11 - we now have a strong 22 which provides competition for places and this is a very, very good thing. You could see the passion in the squad in recent games, players may be on the bench but they still celebrate like we have won the FA Cup when we score.

I think this season could well be a turning point for both players. Both need to adapt their game in opposite directions. Mitrovic needs to calm down a little and focus on scoring rather than moaning and fighting. Perez needs to go the other way; he needs more physical presence, more fight, more anger inside of him.

I do think that Dwight Gayle (despite his fantastic goal scoring record this season) needs some support up front. Mo Diame has been playing slightly behind him and I would like to see Mitrovic be given a shot there, or a bit further up front as Gayle’s strike partner. As for Perez, I for one am a little unsure what his position is - is he a striker, a winger, an inside forward or a number 10?

One thing is for sure, this season is make or break for both players. If neither get much game time I can see their head’s being turned in May, if not even earlier in January. I’d be gutted to see either of them go to be honest but this season is pure and simple about promotion, nothing else. Will either play a part in that?