We have a lot of time to think during these surreal times, with many of us trapped in the house self-isolating and struggling without our weekly dose of football.
With that in mind, a hypothetical question entered my mind when reading a recent article on Aleksandar Mitrovic’s NUFC exit in 2018 – “Would I take him back?“
As a result, we ran a poll on our Twitter page today; and to say there was a mixed response would be an understatement! (Please vote below and see the results for yourselves):
At the time of writing this article, it was almost a 50/50 split, with 49% saying ‘yes’ and 51% ‘no’, highlighting how the big Serbian continues to split opinion two years on from his £22m sale.
It’s all hypothetical – unless Steve Bruce does decide to make a move for the Fulham star whenever the transfer window finally reopens – but there’s an argument to suggest he has unfinished business on Tyneside and could work well in our current system.
He works well as a lone striker and has bulked up, with him being a battering ram up top whenever I’ve seen him play recently for Fulham, and there’s also an argument to say he’s started to mature after turning 25 this year.
We’ve lacked a real presence up top since Rondon left, and his form over the past few years suggests he may be able to both hold the ball up AND score goals.
Yes 35 of his 46 goals at Fulham have come in the second tier, but his tally of 11 goals and 3 assists in 37 Premier League appearances was very decent – especially when he was playing in an awful side who went on to be relegated.
That aside, I’d question whether Fulham can keep a hold of him much longer if A) he keeps scoring and B) they don’t get promoted.
I’m not saying it’s on the cards and remain unsure whether he has the quality or temperament to make it, but I think an ‘arm around the shoulder’ approach from Steve Bruce and a chance to return to the Premier League on Tyneside may appeal to all parties in time.
It is a complete joke, Olly that you and other still continue to mention Mitro’s temperament! Mitro was over zealous in his first year as a 20 year old striker at his dream club, and made some immature mistakes that the haters will never let go of. Since that first year his discipline has not been a problem. Any red cards in almost two and a half years a Fulham, NO!
Michael Adam(Quote)