The unsung hero of Newcastle's 2024/25 season so far

Cast your mind back to the summer; the circus surrounding the protracted pursuit of Marc Guehi clearly signalled the clubs intentions to strengthen its options at centre-back.

With Fabian Schar entering the twilight of his career, Sven Botman and Jamal Lascelles on the long-term injury list, and Dan Burn coming off a run of over 18 months playing at left-back; it appeared to be a no brainer in terms of transfer strategy.

So, when the transfer window closed and Marc Guehi was still wearing Palace colours, a key position in the spine of the team appeared to be no stronger than in previous campaigns and arguably could be perceived as weaker, with limited options and a lack of pace.

Well, now we have reached the halfway point in the season, I feel confident in declaring Dan Burn the Unsung hero of the season so far and arguably our most consistent performer.

The Blyth lad has played every minute in the Premier League so far this season contributing to the third best defence in the league, conceding just 21 goals. An obvious monster in the air (he wins 3.57 aerial duels a match), the big man supplements this with 1.42 attacking touches in the opposition penalty area, 4.76 clearances per 90, and 1.66 tackles.

Burn prefers to stay on his feet in the tackle too, attempting just 0.26 slide tackles a game (but interestingly wins 60% of his tackles when he does go to ground), averages 1.94 tackles and interceptions per 90, and has only made 4 errors leading to shots in four seasons at United. Statistically, he compares very well to Nikola Milenkovic, the Forest centre-back who is receiving lavish praise as a bargain top signing this season.

Following on from his ‘unorthodox’ stint at left-back, which initially worked a treat and flummoxed many a manager and head coach leading to Champions League qualification, Burn had his struggles in the position last season which led to him being toasted on a couple of notable occasions, Luton Town at SJP especially.

With the scrutiny came criticism, although much of that was centred on Lewis Hall being unable to get a game at the time and on Eddie Howe for continually putting Burn into situations that were the anthesis of his skillset.

And this article isn’t just a symptom of recency bias either, although Burn was superb in the recent mauling of Manchester United at Old Trafford. Burn has been a model of consistency in Black and White.

He already has over one-hundred appearances for United in just three seasons, as early as his debut against Villa on 13 February 2022, Gary Neville remarked he had not ‘seen the Newcastle defence as organised as this for some time’ and he has played well enough at times for there to be calls for Burn to get an England call up – with the only obstacle to him being selected appearing to be his height: ‘He can’t play left-back for England; he’s too tall!’ Ian Ladyman sneered in October 2023.

Personally, I felt by putting in such a commanding performance against Man Utd, Burn was channelling the utter contempt many of us feel for them, and he revelled in playing in the superior team on the day, and that it happened to be for his boyhood club was the cherry, on the icing of the cake.

Howe's praise in his pre-Spurs press conference said it all. "Without a doubt [is he one of your best signings?], he's been incredible. He's been even better I thought he would be. We knew he was talented and would be a difference maker for us with his stature and size. But when you add the leadership skills and consistency, he's been a tower of strength in the dressing room. He's been fundamentally important."

Ultimately, Dan Burn isn’t the long-term solution to United’s issues at centre back – age and time will see to that; but the big man has been consistently excellent so far this season and he is hitting his stride just as the team are hitting theirs too. United have finally hit some form and are back to barely conceding chances/shots on target, let alone goals, with four clean sheets in a row, and Dan Burn has been an integral member of the starting eleven and a massive part of the mid-season revival.