Newcastle are currently on a run of seven games unbeaten in the Premier League following their latest win over Brentford at the weekend.
The Magpies beat the Bees 2-0 on Saturday to extend their run, with Eddie Howe’s team now 14th in the table and four points clear of the relegation zone.
PIF dipped into the transfer market in January to bolster the team in order to kickstart this form, with the likes of Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Chris Wood coming in.
Forget Trippier
Whilst Trippier has been raking in the plaudits after scoring two free-kicks and impressing in his four Premier League outings for the club prior to his injury, another new signing is currently saving Newcastle’s season – Dan Burn.
The towering centre-back has been outstanding since his £13m arrival from Brighton and the solidity that he has brought to the defence looks set to be the difference between the Magpies staying up and going down.
He has been excellent, being described as a “Rolls-Royce” by Newcastle outlet, NUFC360, and as a “figurehead” by pundit Alan Hutton. Certainly, the club’s record of the team reflects those appraisals.
Newcastle have picked up seven points and conceded one goal in his three Premier League starts for the team, impressing alongside Fabian Schar.
In February, Howe heaped praise on the instant impact the colossal defender has had on the side, saying:
“Dan has fitted in really well, as has Matt on that left-hand side of our defence. Dan has used the ball really well. He’s been composed, talked well and has leadership qualities.”
He has won 16 duels in three games, whilst making 16 clearances, three blocks, three interceptions and four tackles for the Toon. This shows that he has been a monster at the back and has improved the team, as Newcastle kept two clean sheets in the 22 league matches before his arrival and then two in three with him in the XI.
Burn has come through the door and immediately made a difference to the backline to give Martin Dubravka protection at the back. This has also given the forward players a bigger platform to build from, with Newcastle able to withstand pressure before breaking on the counter instead of conceding cheap goals through poor defending and not giving their attackers much of a chance to work their magic in the final third.
Therefore, he is saving Newcastle’s season and, hopefully, will continue to do so until the job is complete come the end of the season. Then, he will be able to kick on and go again next term as the Magpies look further up the table.
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