NUFC awards ? Unsung hero, player of the season, most improved, Bruce's mark out of 10 & more
So, that's it - the latest Premier League season is over for another year.
Most of it was spent on the edge of another avoidable relegation battle and fearing the worst in parts, but a surprise run of form over the run-in saw us finish 12th following our final-day win at Fulham last Sunday.
Here, our writers - myself, Charlie Bennett, Jake Jackman, Jeff King, Jamie Elliot and Jonny Dawson - give our awards for the 2020/21 season, covering everything from player of the year, to unsung hero, most improved, top team performance and best goal - as well as a mark out of 10 for Steve Bruce.
Without further ado, here's our picks in full...
Olly Hawkins
1. Player of the season - Callum Wilson
Involved in 17 goals in 23 starts in his debut season (12 goals / 5 assists), which is outstanding in a struggling NUFC side, but he's offered so much more than just that. He's been a constant handful, has showed razor sharp movement, brings others into play and has that ice-cool confidence you need from your talisman. What a signing at £20m. He's exactly what we needed and without him we'd be in big trouble.
2. Unsung hero - Karl Darlow
An alternative choice here as he's not been on the scene for several months now, but what he did over the first half of 2020/21 was vital. I feared for us when Dubravka was ruled out, but he stepped up admirably, making some stunning saves, improving his all round game and keeping us in several matches we ended up picking up results in. Oh, and those 11 saves at Spurs were something else - the highest in a single PL game since 2013!
3. Most improved - Jacob Murphy
He's gone from a rabbit in the headlights who'd found his level in the Championship to a first-team regular who looks a completely new man. Making the right wing-back slot his own, looking far more confident on the ball and scored a few crucial goals at Wolves and Burnley. Chuffed to bits for him.
4. Best individual performance - Miguel Almiron (Newcastle 3-2 Southampton)
Almost went for Wilson for his all round masterclass in that 2-0 win at Everton, but Almiron just edged him for his stunning display in that heroic 3-2 win over Southampton - a game we ended up winning with just 9 men! Not only did he take his two goals well - tearing the Saints apart with his pace on the break - his pressing forced errors, his link up play was outstanding and his work rate at both ends absolutely incredible. I remember giving him a fully deserved 10/10 in my player ratings that day, with him shining as a No.10 in that 4312 formation Jones introduced. A stunning display in every sense.
5. Best team performance - Leicester 2-4 Newcastle
Not just the win to make sure of Premier League survival but an emphatic one over a side who were 3rd in the table at the time and in good form. We found the perfect balance between attack and defence, cut through a top side like a knife through butter and took some of our goals brilliantly, too. A night that reminded us all what these players are capable of when set up correctly and scoreline that flattered the Foxes in the end!
6. Goal of the season - Allan Saint-Maximin (Burnley 1-2 Newcastle)
Not only was it a huge moment, handing us a monumental win over fellow relegation contenders, it was a moment of sheer brilliance from our game-changing Frenchman. After carrying the ball from his own to half to the edge of the Burnley box, he left Mee and Tarkwoski on the deck with a brilliant piece of footwork and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. Absolute magic; and the celebration wasn't bad either!
7. Steve Bruce - 5/10
The way I see it, he's put out a fire he started in the first place. Had it not been for our end of season surge to 12th, this would've been a three at best, however Bruce does deserve some credit. Wilson was a superb signing, the loan move for Willock was an inspired one and his move to get help in the form of Graeme Jones was much needed - even if it's a clear indication of his own limitations! Staying up and finishing 12th was way better than I expected a few months ago, but that's only because Bruce set the bar so unacceptably low via an awful brand of football and ever-changing 'tactics' for 75% of the season. He's done what Ashley asked of him and proven some wrong (me included) who said we'd go down, but it's still a season that has season a talented squad. Tempted to say 4/10, but I'll go with a 5 as injuries, COVID and an unprecedented year for football managers hasn't helped.
Jake Jackman
1. Player of the season - Callum Wilson
Not a difficult one for me. It has to be Callum Wilson. The team always looks more threatening when he is fit and available. His return of 12 goals and five assists isn't to be sniffed at, especially as he earned key points with those returns. Wilson averages a goal involvement every 122.7 minutes. If we keep him fit next season, I'd expect even better numbers and a more comfortable season for the team.
2. Unsung hero - Jacob Murphy
Jacob Murphy has to win this award. He has contributed key goals and assists throughout the season. The assist for Dwight Gayle's winner against West Brom was important. He scored pivotal goals against Wolves and Burnley. Murphy looks to be a player that stands up when it matters. Those that watched his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday won't be surprised to see the improvement in his game. Towards the end of the season, he made the wing-back role his own with contributions in both halves of the pitch. He has to be a starter next season.
3. Most improved - Joelinton
Joelinton gets unfairly criticised at times. He obviously isn't a £40 million footballer, but he has started to make some progress towards the end of the season. When he has been used as part of a front two, he has looked a genuine threat. In the home match against Villa, he absolutely destroyed Tyrone Mings on two or three occasions. Finishing the season with three goals in eight matches, I hope we see even more improvement.
4. Best individual performance - Callum Wilson (Everton 0-2 Newcastle)
There are a few notable mentions in this section, with Miguel Almiron causing chaos at home to Southampton, Karl Darlow being excellent away to Spurs and Allan Saint-Maximin destroying Burnley on two occasions. However, Callum Wilson was on another level against Everton away from home. He scored twice, but left the pitch feeling disappointed he didn't score more. That showed the level he is capable of reaching. I mark it as more impressive than the Leicester performance, as we were in a terrible run of form at the time.
5. Best team performance - Leicester 2-4 Newcastle
The match away to Leicester City has to be considered our best performance. We cut through them early with Saint-Maximin missing a massive chance. Many feared we missed our opportunity, but we continued to cut through them at will and were deserving of our four-goal lead.
6. Goal of the season - Allan Saint-Maximin (Burnley 1-2 Newcastle)
Allan Saint-Maximin's goal against Burnley was my favourite. He won us that game from the bench and this goal injected belief back into the team. The Frenchman picked the ball up in his own half, before dancing through the Burnley defence. It was a great finish to score too.
7. Steve Bruce rating - 3/10
It was a poor season for the most part and the majority will agree that he is unsuitable to be the coach for the long term. There was improvement towards the back end, but that may have been in spite of Bruce, rather than due to him.
Jeff King
1. Player of the season - Allan Saint-Maximin
Because of his ability to lift players around him. We're a much better team when he's in it and fit and actually look dangerous. Plus he's the only one that gets you off your seat time and time again. A class act.
2. Unsung hero - Paul Dummett
Ritchie, Murphy, ASM and Willock got the most credit for our turnaround but for me Dummett was always so solid and dependable. He understands what it is to play for NUFC and is in today's game somewhat unique in that he is a defender that knows how to defend and loves doing it.
3. Most improved - Jacob Murphy
Let's face it there aren't many that thought he'd make it at NUFC and even less as a right wing-back. He just got better and better as the season progressed and now is someone that is an automatic choice. His defending improved and his attacking play showed more and more confidence as he grew into his role.
4. Best individual performance - Miguel Almiron (Newcastle 3-2 Southampton)
Down to nine men and desperately needing to hold on to the 3-2 he put in an unbelievable shift. Covered every inch of the pitch and then some. As determined a display as I've seen and one that spoke volumes about his professionalism and will to win.
5. Best team performance - Everton 0-2 Newcastle.
We actually looked like a top four team! Wilson was clinical in attack, the midfield won the battle convincingly, our back four were all outstanding and Darlow magnificent when called upon. Remember this performance came before Brighton and it was so good I think we all thought that was the potential we had coming finally to the fore. The consummate away performance.
6. Goal of the season - Allan Saint-Maximin (Burnley 1-2 Newcastle)
Not just because it was a brilliantly thrilling dribble and fabulous finish, not just because he only had one thing in his mind when he set off for goal, not because he ignored an unmarked Wilson. No, all of that and his absolute confidence in his own ability. Not forgetting the importance of the goal. I think it was the goal that turned our season around.
7. Steve Bruce rating - 5/10
Massive underachievement with squad he had. Felt we would have been relegated without Jones coming in. Raised it towards the end of the season, but never clear if he had tactics or not, defended far too deeply far too often and always thought he thought opposition was better than us. So negative in pressers too.
Charlie Bennett
1. Player of the season - Joe Willock
Willock’s contribution ultimately saved our season in the short time he spent on Tyneside. His impact was the highlight of our campaign so, even though he only joined in January, he deserves the nod for me. We must resign him.
2. Unsung hero - Karl Darlow
Martin Dubravka’s injury could have crippled us at the start of the season, but Darlow stepped up in our time of need, saving us on multiple occasions. Unlucky to get dropped and should look to move on this summer.
3. Most improved - Jacob Murphy
A year ago, Murphy looked surplus to requirements and was one of Rafa Benitez’s worst signings at NUFC. Fast forward to now and he has made that right wing-back spot his own. One of the few players you could say has improved under Steve Bruce’s coaching.
4. Best individual performance - Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle 3-1 Burnley)
An electric performance that showed us everything that Saint-Maximin has at his disposal. A skilful goal and a a pinpoint assist; I could have picked his away performance against Burnley but he played the full 90 minutes in this one.
5. Best team performance - Newcastle 3-2 Southampton
A NINE-man Toon put in a gutsy display to hold on for a vital three points in the pouring rain at St James’ Park. This performance showed exactly what it means to play in those black-and-white colours
6. Goal of the season - Allan Saint-Maximin (Burnley 1-2 Newcastle)
Brought off the bench, at 1-0 down, in a team derived of all confidence, and Saint-Maximin takes on half the Burnley team to score a wonder solo goal. He probably doubled his price tag with this one and cemented his place as our team’s star player.
7. Steve Bruce rating - 6/10
Most of the season was unwatchable and performances against Brighton (twice), Sheff Utd and Brentford were sackable offences alone. However, he brought in Willock and managed to galvanise a divided squad when it mattered most, finishing 12th and playing some decent stuff in the end. He did his job. After all, we finished a huge 17 points above the drop zone, but there is a clear argument to say that our late run of form papered over some huge, undeniable cracks.
Jamie Elliott
1. Player of the season - Callum Wilson
he’s absolutely priceless and our most important player. Even more so than Allan Saint-Maximin, in my opinion. I knew we were buying a goalscorer but I didn’t realise how good his all sound game was.
2. Unsung hero - Federico Fernandez
He’s our best defender, and the importance of his return has been understated I think. I really hope we can tie him down to a new deal, as I don’t think we’ll replace him with like for like quality given the meagre budget we have this summer.
3. Most improved - Jacob Murphy
He's been a revelation at right wing-back, and has made me eat humble pie. He always seems to make something happen in the final 3rd. Deserves a new deal and more game time next season. His equaliser at Burnley was a huge moment in the season.
4. Best individual performance - Callum Wilson (Everton 0-2 Newcastle)
It wasn’t just his two goals, his all round performance was the best centre forward display I’ve seen in from a Newcastle striker since Demba Ba. Honourable mention for ASM at Burnley, which features more later.
5. Best team performance - Leicester 2-4 Newcastle
Beating Southampton with 9 men, and Everton away also have to be considered, but Leicester pips it for me. To go to a top team, in form, and take the game to them and batter them in the way we did was truly amazing. It’s also the game that made me the saddest there were no fans present to see it, and there haven’t been many of those recently.
6. Goal of the season - Allan Saint-Maximin (Burnley 1-2 Newcastle)
Aesthetically it probably should be Wilson’s away at Leicester, with every player touching the ball and that filthy finish, but for sheer importance, this get my vote. It was a must win game, away at relegation rivals. We were in wretched form, seemingly only heading one way, and our star man came back from injury and won us the game with a brilliant solo goal. It’s proper Roy Of The Rovers stuff.
7. Steve Bruce rating - 4/10
It’s a 4 for me. He’s still underachieving from what he said he wanted to do. A good manager has this squad going for Europa. I struggle to be objective as the bloke has regularly thrown players and fans under the bus, but it's not been very good on or off the pitch for 75% of the season, has it?
Jonny Dawson
1. Player of the season - Callum Wilson
Without Wilson then I’m convinced our season would have played out in a very different way. His potency and confidence in front of goal is something that we’ve been missing for a while. His injuries have been disappointing but have also shown that we’re a completely different animal when he’s missing.
2. Unsung hero - Paul Dummett
There were a few who I could have placed here because I think we had a few instances of players simply putting their head down and sorting everything out. Dummett, for me, is the player who really just went about his job without much fanfare and improved our form. I’m glad he scored his goal against Leicester because he deserved it.
3. Most improved - Jacob Murphy
One of my picks for the Unsung Hero choice because I think his inclusion into the side was overshadowed by Ritchie’s performances on the other side of the pitch. When he was first picked over Manquillo for the Right Back position, I thought it was ridiculous but he really proved himself and he became invaluable.
4. Best individual performance - Allan Saint-Maximin (Burnley 1-2 Newcastle)
Quite possibly the needed catalyst to saving ourselves from danger at the end of the season. After a spirited draw against Spurs following the awful Brighton loss, if we lost to Burnley then our terrible form would have probably continued right until the end but Saint-Maximin decided that he didn’t want that to happen, so he decided to win the match. The match was going in its usual fashion until Saint-Maximin was deployed and he tore them apart. A fantastic solo performance.
5. Best team performance - Leicester 2-4 Newcastle
Being a Newcastle fan based in Leicester, I have a constant reminder of how much more ambitious they are than us and it’s draining. So, to see us roll up to the King Power Stadium, a few streets away from my house, and absolutely destroy a fantastic team was extremely satisfying.
6. Goal of the season - Callum Wilson (Leicester 2-4 Newcastle)
His second was stunning that night. 11 players touching the ball in the build-up to this goal was absolutely fantastic and hinted at how good we could be if we were allowed to. It was a beautiful goal to watch and it will no doubt be reposted and shown for years to come.
7. Steve Bruce rating - 3/10
Subjected us to some absolute dross but I’ll give him some credit for bringing in the likes of Wilson, Willock and Jones so that everything wasn’t lost. He loses tons of points for the awful run, dreadful tactics and his incendiary comments throughout the season. Still want him gone.
Most votes:
- Player of the season - Callum Wilson (6)
- Unsung hero - Karl Darlow & Paul Dummett (2)
- Most improved - Jacob Murphy (6)
- Best individual performance - Almiron vs Southampton and Wilson vs Everton (2)
- Best team performance - Leicester 2-4 Newcastle (3)
- Goal of the season - Allan Saint-Maximin at Burnley (5)
- Steve Bruce rating - 5/10 and 3/10 (2)
Let us know your picks for all seven 'awards' in the comments below!
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