Here below I have listed the Newcastle United players who are part of the problem.
A separate list of those who are part of the solution…
Whilst also the Newcastle United players who could fall either way.
This is not a scientific exercise.
Simply what I have seen with my own eyes and so using my expert judgement…
Newcastle United players who are part of the solution
Lukas Hornicek, Lewis Hall, Amar Dedic, Malick Thiaw, Dan Burn, Lewis Miley, Sean Steur, Fabian Schar (as a back up for rest of season)
Newcastle United players where it is unfair/impossible to judge as not seen enough of them
William Osula (he has still only started 12 Premier League matches for NUFC), Aladji Bamba (0 PL starts), Nico Gonzalez (8 EPL starts for NUFC), Ewen Jaouen (0 PL starts), Bazoumana Toure (0 EPL starts), Matias Fernandez-Pardo (4 EPL starts)
The other Newcastle United players
Mark Gillespie, Nick Pope
Newcastle United players who are part of the problem (and can they be part of the solution (marked Yes, No, Maybe?)
Tino Livramento – Yes. We know he is a quality player BUT can he ever stay fit?
Sven Botman – Maybe. Was absolutely brilliant in his first (2022-23) season when United had best defence in the Premier League. Two big operations/injuries and hasn’t been able to get back to that level on a consistent basis. So far.
Joelinton – No. May seem a bit harsh but he is another who has been heavily impacted by injuries, plus he is now into his 30s. I think as well that if Newcastle are to play a mobile passing game, our “Only cost forty million” Brazilian doesn’t fit in.
Jacob Ramsey – Maybe. Has shown at times he has the quality but not able to put a run of form together of any length as a starter, injuries not helping. I think by the end of this season we will know either way. With United losing the likes of Tonali and Bruno, Ramsey should be making a starting eleven position his own.
Joe Willock – No. He was brilliant in the 2022-23 then had really bad time with injuries. We have seen at times the necessary quality and impact this season in glimpses but he isn’t able to do enough to be a certain starter.
Harvey Barnes – Maybe. Always the issue with Harvey, if he can get into goalscoring positions he is Newcastle’s best finisher. When he doesn’t though, his overall contribution is rarely enough to deserve a starting place. Last season Barnes started 19 Premier League matches and came off the bench in 18 of the other 19. It feels very much like he represents the team/squad going backwards as he starts week in week out now. I do like him but can he show enough to be more than a supersub?
Anthony Elanga – Maybe. Started the season on fire AND looking a real goal threat. Unlucky to then pick up an injury in training. I think it is possible he can prove his doubters wrong but a case of hope for the best but fear the worst.
Jacob Murphy – No. A bit like Willock and into his 30s now. His standout season of 2024-25 in now history. Has produced a few quality moments this season but doesn’t produce enough over whole matches to be a starter.
Yoane Wissa – Maybe. Very much like Elanga, a case of hope for the best but fear the worst.
Conclusion
When I talk about those who I have listed as part of the solution, it isn’t necessarily that I see them as world beaters, more a case of I think they are definitely good enough to at least perform at a certain level which we now need.
Obviously there weren’t many of them that I could list and Schar is only as back up for this season, whilst with Dan Burn he turns 35 in May and so realistically, he could hopefully do another full season in 2027-28.
What we clearly need is for some of those who in the ‘impossible to judge yet’ to come through and prove themselves as time goes on.
Whilst more immediately, we really need some of those in the ‘part of the problem’ list above, to prove themselves real assets very soon AND prove the doubters wrong!