Well, what a strange, odd season that has ended successfully. Barring a hungover City turning up on Saturday against Manchester Reds we should SHOULD be in the Conference League. Without further ado here are my thoughts on our squad in what has been a season where we’ve never really had a starting XI.

Goalkeepers:

Pope – 7: Injured for a long period of time from early December to late April but came back for Brentford and shone, was the major reason we held Milan to a draw in September and overall a good season for one first choice.

Dubravka – 7: Some would have him lower but did a good job deputising for Pope, 9^th for save percentage, 4^th for saves per 90, a good season for the Slovak which if it hadn’t resulted in a few mistakes he would have got an 8.

Gillespie – N/A: Basically a Goalkeeper coach now for the kids, howay Mark retire and get coaching!

Karius – 6: Only played the once against Arsenal and we got battered, not his finest performance with last season’s cup victory being better. He’s off this summer, sad to see a good 3^rd choice leave but I wish him the best of luck.

Defenders:

Trippier – 7: Some fans have shown they have very short memories this season when they criticise Trips. Joint top assister with 10, a long period out injured and a few defensive mistakes but a good season again for Trippier and if he shows some of the poor form he’s picked up (Chelsea in the carabao, Everton etc.) then he has competition from Tino who is of a very high quality and Krafu who has been solid and reliable.

Krafth – 6.5: Another solid rotation season as a deputy and he’s still showing how well he has bounced back from that 13-month long injury. Showed up reliable in games but has had the odd mistake and a 6.5 feels fair for the Swede.

Livramento – 8: I don’t think you can argue with an 8 for Tino. At such a young age he’s bounced back from a serious injury and has shown some unbelievable class this season. Has been unlucky that his ankle has let him down but defensively and progressively fantastic if he can add some more assists to his game (0 this season) then he could be one of the best in his position.

Lascelles – 7: Back to his best this season. Absolutely phenomenal deputising by our captain, showing why Rafa had faith in him way back when. Shame about him doing his ACL in badly but much better than previous years.

Schar – 8: PSG. Need I say more? No but in all seriousness again he ages like a fine wine does Fab. Another fantastic season, showing his exquisite passing range and his perfect timing on challenges and solid solid season from Fab.

Dummett – 6: Superb against City in the carabao, then he had to go ruin it against Everton by conceding that penalty for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score. Hope he renews for homegrown quotas in Europe as we only have Sean as Miley does not need registering.

Burn – 7: Scraping a seven is Dan Burn who started the season slow when he was at Left Back but shone when Sven picked up his injury and was superb at left centre back, making crunching challenges and captaining the side in the absence of Trips and Lascelles showing his born leader qualities.

Botman – 7: Injured in September rushed back for December and wasn’t amazing when he came back but then picked up his massive ACL injury in March and won’t be returning until January. Not our Rolls Royce of a centre backs greatest season but he’ll bounce back in 2025.

Targett – 4: Injured for most of the season (injured in November came back in March then straight away injured again) and when he did play didn’t look up to scratch in my mind Matt has played his last game for the club and should be off this summer.

Other mentions include Alex Murphy but I’m not going to touch upon him as we haven’t seen enough.

Midfielders:

Tonali – 6: When he did play I’m giving him a 6, good debut but average after that before the ban roll on next season when we can see a bit more of the Italian.

Longstaff – 7: Very nearly gave him a 6 but his goal tally and uncanny ability to pop up in any moment we need him is superb. Plus local hero and deserving of his place in the squad. Six goals in the league and a vital goal against PSG in the Champions League earns him his 7 especially if the broken foot rumour is true!

Bruno – 9: Very possibly our best player this season once again (I’d say joint with two others but we will come to that) just fantastic, energetic, never say never attitude. Never gets injured, 15 GCs from central midfield, highest distance covered this season I pray this man stays on Tyneside.

Joelinton – 8: Lot of time spent on the sideline because of some dirty Mackem but a very solid season by J7 again, using his aggression for good and especially impressive against Brentford as his first start in four months, if only injuries hadn’t ruined four months.

White – 6: Barely played and just a neutral six for the brief moments we saw him, not too much to say to be honest.

Willock – 6: Barely played, injuries hampered Willock’s season massively but I’m hoping that next season we can get Joe injury free and I won’t have bought a shirt with his name on in vain.

Anderson – 7: A good season for the Geordie Scot. Again another one who lost large periods of his season to injuries but a fantastic footballer who is destined for big things. Can’t believe he still hasn’t scored (robbed last season v Forrest) but good season overall by Elliot.

Miley – 8: Wow. What a player at just 18 years old. Ran the Parc des Princes, showed Chelsea levels in November and got his first goal in December. What a talent and clear of Kobbie Mainoo (just saying) and if that back injury hadn’t slightly hampered him then what an end he could have had. But yeah, what a talent 8 is more than fair.

Attackers:

Ritchie – 5: Poor in a lot of his cameos but that goal against Bournemouth saves him from a four and I think we’ve seen the last of a loyal servant in a Black n White shirt. Thank you, Matt, for your service.

Murphy – 7.5: Jacob Murphy. I don’t understand the hate on this guy 3 goals, 7 assists and an eye for a pass that is only beat by Gordon and Trippier. Superb crosser and a man you can rely on. Only 21 games played in the league leaves you to wonder that if he had played more he’d have had an even better record.

Almiron – 6.5: The most frustrating player. Gattuso summed up Miggy when he said “Sometimes maybe good sometimes maybe…” well you know the rest. Only the three goals in 33 games this season isn’t great and to be honest I think we may have seen the last of Miggy especially with how impressive of a season Minteh has had out on loan.

Gordon – 9: Feels harsh not to give AG a 10 (it did with Bruno too) but 35 games and 23 goal contributions shines through. Love how AG plays, deserves a spot in that England squad, and has put the doubts of last season behind him and just wow what a dangerous player and what a season.

Barnes – 7: Good season, not great. Injuries firmly disrupted Barnes first season on Tyneside with him picking it up against Sheffield United and coming back to a form of his life version of Anthony Gordon. Has bailed us out with goals against Luton and West Ham and definitely has had a good first season with a lot to build upon next year.

Wilson – 7: Hardest player to rate in the squad. Torn between 6 and 7. 6… 7… 6… 7… decided on the latter a 7 because 9 goals with 850 injuries isn’t a bad return and taking second place in the top scorer’s chart shows that Cal can do it still for us but in my opinion his times numbered on Tyneside as we can sign a better less injury prone striker who can actually play 25/30 games a season.

Isak – 9: Another one who is harsh to miss out on a 10 but 25 goals this season our super Swede number 14 has shone this season and has really proven himself as our first 20 goal a season striker since big Al. Really strong from Isak and I look forward to next season if we can get a reliable back up for him.

Ndiweni, Diallo and Parkinson do not get a mention as they barely played similarly to Murphy earlier.

So there’s my thoughts for the squad this season. Any agreements/disagreements and who was your player of the season?

Joe Horn for Magpie 24/7