It’s been quite an unimaginable start to the 2022-23 campaign for Newcastle United, who currently sit third in the Premier League table and remain in the Carabao Cup.
Eddie Howe’s men have lost just one of their opening 15 league matches, and even that was a controversial last-minute defeat at Liverpool.
In total, the Magpies have collected 30 points so far, sparking early hopes of potential European qualification, and progressed into the last 16 of the League Cup.
And when United return to action in late-December after the World Cup, Howe will no doubt ensure his players are ready to go again.
“Talking too much about permutations and results and where we are in the table is wasted energy,” Howe said after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Chelsea. It’s about whether can we improve the team with our performance, what areas of the team we need to improve.
“My job is then to devise training sessions to try and implement that and help the players develop individually as well. I don’t think looking at targets or where we are in the league table is healthy. We’ll just continue to focus on our process.”
So, reflecting on the first half of the campaign for now, which players have impressed the most? Here, our writer Jordan Cronin dishes out his Newcastle player ratings from how they’ve performed so far:
21. Sven Botman - 9
The £35m summer signing has certainly lived up to his tag as a ‘Rolls Royce defender’. Botman is a rock at the back, but also very good with his feet. A star is the making. | Getty Images
22. Allan Saint-Maximin - 7
A hamstring injury has restricted Saint-Maximin to just one start since August, but that performance against Manchester City and the late volley at Wolves really was a joy to behold. | Getty Images
23. Fabian Schar - 9
The epitome of an unsung hero. Schar has gone from being hugely out-of-favour under Steve Bruce to one of United’s most consistent and dependable performers since Howe walked through the door. | AFP via Getty Images
24. Sean Longstaff - 8
And finally, this man is getting the appreciation he deserves. The amount of ground he covers is among the best in the Premier League. Howe wants his players to press the opposition high, and Longstaff is one of the most effective at doing it. Photo: ANDY BUCHANAN