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Opinion

Season ratings for all Newcastle players

7 years ago
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Writer Jonathan Drape-Comyn give his season ratings for all Newcastle players this past 2016/17 season:

  1. Ciaran Clark: 10/10

My player of the season.

I can’t think one of game where he wasn’t good. I was sceptical last summer when we signed him but he has most certainly proved the doubters wrong. There is no doubt that Rafa will be in the market for a centre back this summer, so it remains to be seen whether Clark will get the nod ahead of Lascelles next season.

Either way, he played a key role in promotion. Just look at the stats when he wasn’t in the team.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Paul Dummett: 9/10

Has taken his fair share of criticism from Newcastle fans, some of it deserved based on his performances last season and in the early part of this campaign. Since Christmas though he has been our most consistent player.

With him being at Left-Back almost every game in a side that won the title, you can’t underestimate his contribution.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Jack Colback: 6/10

I have been incredibly disappointed with Colback this season. His performances have been well below par and I know that most fans would have him on their list of players to sell this summer.

Don’t forget though, he has played in most games this season, and there is a reason for that. He does a job that Rafa wants him to do. Could come in handy next year, especially away from home.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Grant Hanley: 5/10

To be honest, he didn’t really recover from that wobbly first game of the season away to Fulham. However, he filled in admirably when called upon and gave 100% to the cause. While I have no doubt he would be a good enough squad player in the Premier League, Rafa will certainly bring in another centre half, so you would expect that Hanley will be the one deemed surplus to requirements.

Verdict: SELL

  1. Jamaal Lascelles: 8/10

Captained the side to the league title, so you can’t really ask for much more than that. However, at many a time this season I have been disappointed with his performances. He is still young, so lets hope he can improve for next season to be good enough in the Premier League.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Achraf Lazaar: 3/10

A big disappointment, although his lack of games has probably been testament to the reliability of Paul Dummett rather than Lazaar’s own performances. He has looked ok when he has played but a disappointing first season at the club nonetheless.

Verdict: OUT ON LOAN

  1. Vurnon Anita: 7/10

A much improved season at a lower level. Anita made a fine contribution to this season and like Yoan Gouffran, perhaps redeemed somewhat of his reputation after a few poor season in the Premier League.

Verdict: LET GO (out of contract)

  1. Dwight Gayle: 10/10

I have to admit I was totally wrong about Dwight Gayle this season. At the start of the year I didn’t really see what all the fuss was about, including the £10m price tag. However, he has fired Newcastle United to the Premier League with his goals. A great signing from Rafa!

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Matt Ritchie: 9/10

Our most consistent performer this season who turned up in the big pressure situations for us. Whether it was his constant work rate away from home, penalties at big moments against Huddersfield and Preston, or the odd moment of magic against Burton. Ritchie is magic!

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Jonjo Shelvey: 10/10

While Ciaran Clark was my player of the year, I don’t think there is any doubt that Jonjo Shelvey is the best player in the Newcastle team and was the best player in the whole division last season. He has blossomed under Rafa and for me, is the only one in the squad who is guaranteed to start the first game of next season.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Issac Hayden: 9/10

The surprise of the season for me. I didn’t really think too much about it when he was signed last summer but Hayden has been brilliant in the middle of the park next to Shelvey. He can defend, he can get forward, quick, strong and has all the makings to be a good Premier League player.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Mo Diame: 3/10

By Far the biggest disappointment of the season. At times Diame has looked like he can’t kick a football, never mind spearhead an attack towards the Premier League. I would be surprised if he is still with us next year but we know the quality is there somewhere. Maybe Rafa will find it.

Verdict: SELL

  1. Rolando Aarons: 3/10

Spent almost the entire season on the sidelines again. I can’t see a future for Rolando Aarons at the club. I know many think he has potential but I am not a fan at all… we are yet to see anything from him yet that even suggests he could be good enough.

I would like to be proved wrong but I don’t think I will be.

Verdict: OUT ON LOAN

  1. Ayoze Perez: 6/10

A funny old season for Perez. On the one hand, I personally think he has been poor over the course of the season. He is too lightweight, doesn’t score enough goals, doesn’t create enough, doesn’t really do anything apart from spend most of the game on the ground flinging his arms around.

Then, on the other hand, you have the Ayoze Perez who can turn it on with a world class assist at Brentford for Murphy, the winner at Brighton, and a perfect display on the last day against Barnsley.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Chancel Mbemba: 6/10

Another one who has had a funny season. Pushed out of the side by Ciaran Clark and at times it appeared as though he was Newcastle’s 4th choice defender. Now he has finished the season in good form and would probably be the 1st choice centre half for some fans going into the new season.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Massadio Haidara: 2/10

A shame really but he just isn’t good enough. Maybe things would have been different if it wasn’t for that Callum McManaman tackle.

Verdict: SELL

  1. Yoan Gouffran: 8/10

I am really pleased for Gouffran that he has had this great season because I have no doubt that he is a good professional who gives 100% every game. There is no debate that he was absolutely useless in the PL, however, he has rekindled somewhat of his reputation at Newcastle this season.

Verdict: LET GO (out of contract)

  1. Rob Elliot: 6/10

Unlucky with his injury at the end of the PL season, if it wasn’t for that then he would have started first choice this year no doubt. Maybe he will get his big chance next year.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. DeAndre Yedlin: 7/10

I think the role that he plays in the team is massively understated. With Dummett on one side, not the most attacking of players, it’s so important for Yedlin to offer Newcastle something going forward and he does that well. While at times, his defending has been questionable, you can forgive him for what he offers going forward.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Karl Darlow: 8/10

Has been great this year for me, especially away from home. Prone to the odd mistake which have been exaggerated in my opinion. Darlow is a good keeper and can be counted on.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Jesus Gamez: 3/10

I for one expected a little more from Gamez this year. He has been unlucky with injuries for sure but even when he has played, I haven’t been too impressed. Will be kept on for the last year of his contract, and to provide experience.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Matz Sels: 5/10

We all raised an eyebrow when Rafa signed a goalkeeper in the summer and we raised our eyebrows a little further when we realized just who he had signed. A poor start to the season for Sels has probably brought his Newcastle career to an early end.

Verdict: OUT ON LOAN

  1. Christian Atsu: 7/10

Atsu has changed my mind in the past two months. After a very slow start to the season, he has picked up in the run-in to give us some much-needed energy. If the rumours are true about the £6,500,000 clause, then I would pick him up. Every team needs a player like Atsu who is willing to run at defenders and try to create something.

Verdict: BUY

  1. Daryl Murphy: 8/10

Scored some key goals at key stages. Most importantly, the winner away to Brentford. This was a time when Newcastle were really up against it, on poor form, with their star striker injured. I would even go as far as saying that the £3,000,000 paid for Murphy was repaid with that one effort.

Verdict: KEEP

  1. Sammy Ameobi: 3/10

It’s been a good ride but I suspect that this season is the last ever where we see an Ameobi in the Newcastle shirt.

Verdict: LET GO (Out of contract)

  1. Dan Barlaser: 3/10

Having seen him a lot of the past few years, I just don’t think he is going to be good enough. Given a chance this season not because of his promise, but because of injuries, suspensions and the African Nations. 20 years old now and unlikely to be given a chance in the big league.

Verdict: SELL

  1. Jamie Sterry: 3/10

The same goes for Sterry as it does Barlaser, they’re just not going to get the chance. In order to get a fair crack at the first team now you need to be in and around the first team 18 and by the age of 20 pushing for a starting place. If a right back comes in this summer, then Sterry will be down to 3rd choice.

Verdict: SELL

  1. Aleksandar Mitrovic: 6/10

If we can get £8-12 million for Mitrovic then it is an absolute no-brainer for me. He hasn’t performed yet in a Newcastle shirt and there are far better strikers out there for me. The fact that Rafa prefers Daryl Murphy and at times, Gouffran, upfront says it all really.

He might be here next season, but if he is, I think it will be because Rafa hasn’t been able to sign a striker, rather than him being desperate to keep him.

Verdict: SELL

You can follow the author on Twitter @JonathanComyn

(All contributions from Newcastle fans welcome, send articles (as well as ideas/suggestions) to contribute@themag.co.uk)

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