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6 months ago
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Which Newcastle United players would get in your North East team of the season?
A bit tricky to be honest if you are a Newcastle fan, as most of us will see very little of the region’s other teams.
The bare facts on our main local rivals this 2023/24 season are that whilst NUFC are looking to finish top six in the Premier League. Middlesbrough were eighth in the second tier and Sunderland ended up only six points off being relegated back to the third tier!
The simple thing for many fans would be to say that it should be a team of Newcastle United players, as NUFC are the only north east club in the top tier AND are favourites to finish top six.
However, some local journalists do have an advantage as they have to often cover more than one of the region’s clubs.
One of those is Scott Wilson of the Northern Echo, who has picked his North East Team of the Season and included seven Newcastle players….
GOALKEEPER
Anthony Patterson (Sunderland)
DEFENDERS
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United)
The season has had its challenges for Newcastle’s right-back, with a dip in form towards the end of last year preceding an injury absence in the second half of the campaign. However, the 33-year-old remains the heartbeat of the Magpies team, defending resolutely and sparking attacks with his surging runs down the right. Only Ollie Watkins can better his tally of ten Premier League assists this term.
Rav Ven Den Berg (Middlesbrough)
Fabian Schar (Newcastle United)
Newcastle’s Swiss centre-half is in the form of his life even though he is now 32, and has outshone his central-defensive partner, Sven Botman, this season. His positioning is a key part of Newcastle’s defending, and his commitment to the cause has consistently shone through as he has shrugged off a succession of injury issues. Extremely comfortable in possession, his barnstorming breaks out of defence never cease to excite.
Dan Burn (Newcastle United)
Newcastle’s Mr Dependable at the back, Burn has been filling in at centre-half in recent weeks, but has spent most of the season playing at left-back. Yes, he has his limitations, most notably when lining up against speedy wingers. But his leadership qualities have been hugely important this season and he remains a fine defender who can always be relied upon to give his all. His goal against PSG was one of the highlights of the season.
MIDFIELDERS
Jonny Howson (Middlesbrough)
Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United)
The Newcastle midfielder has had an excellent season, dominating the heart of midfield as he has combined defensive discipline and energy with a finely-tuned creative vision and level of technical excellence. He has started all bar one of the Magpies’ league matches, holding things together when his fellow midfielders have been dropping like flies all around him. Holding on to him has to be a key summer priority.
Joelinton (Newcastle United)
Proof of Joelinton’s importance to Newcastle has been illustrated by just how badly he has been missed in the second half of the campaign. The Brazilian sets the tone for the Magpies’ high-pressing, all-action style, tearing around and throwing himself into tackles while also straining every sinew to break into the opposition box. Little wonder Howe freely admits he is one of the first names on his team sheet.
FORWARDS
Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)
This has been a stellar season for the 23-year-old, who will surely spend the summer representing England at the Euros. Gordon has started all bar two of Newcastle’s league matches, and has also been involved in every single one of the club’s cup games. He has scored 11 goals in all competitions, and also provided ten Premier League assists, statistics that confirm his status as one of the most potent wide-attacking players in the English top-flight.
Jack Clarke (Sunderland)
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United)
If last season was Isak’s settling-in period on Tyneside, then this was the year when the Swedish striker established himself as one of the leading centre-forwards in Europe. Every time he broke clear of opposition defences this season, you felt he was going to score. His tally of 20 Premier League goals is only bettered by Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer, and he has been in especially superb form from Christmas onwards. Holding onto him is surely essential if Newcastle want to kick on again next term.
Subs:
Matty Young (Darlington), Trai Hume (Sunderland), Matt Clarke (Middlesbrough), Dan Neil (Sunderland), Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United), Emmanuel Latte Lath (Middlesbrough), Mani Dieseruvwe (Hartlepool)
MANAGER
Steve Watson (Darlington)
An ‘interesting’ selection and no doubt many of you are naming certain Newcastle players who aren’t even named amongst the subs!
Also, maybe former Newcastle United keeper Rob Elliot can count himself a little unlucky, taking over mid-season and ending up in a ‘play-off’ spot (only to be cruelly denied the chance of having their go at making it into League Two) and then winning the FA Trophy at Wembley this past weekend.

 
