How Paul Dummett compares to other Championship left-backs

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The Newcastle United full-back has played in 10 out of 11 Championship games under Rafael Benitez.

Newcastle United left-back Paul Dummett has become the subject of criticism from a large portion of Magpies fans, with his limitations on the pitch frustrating those in the crowd.

However, he is clearly a favourite of Rafael Benitez, who has started the Geordie in 10 out of 11 Championship matches, and even handed him the captain’s armband in the absence of skipper Jamaal Lascelles.

While Dummett is not the most blessed going forward, his defensive stats compared to his left-back peers in the Championship make for good reading.

Newcastle’s number three has won the third most duels in the Championship this season out of the most popular left-backs in the division, only eclipsed by Greg Cunningham and Stephen Warnock who have both played a game more than Dummett.

In the air, Dummett tops the rankings for Championship left-backs, winning 42 so far this season. The preferred left-backs of Huddersfield and Norwich, the two teams above Newcastle in the league have not won as many aerial duels as Dummett between them, showing how good the Wales international is compared Newcastle’s promotion rivals’ left sided defenders.

The third area where Dummett impresses is tackling, winning 17 challenges so far this season, ranking him joint fourth, with Chris Lowe ahead of him, along with Cunningham and Warnock yet again.

While Dummett’s attacking limitations can frustrate the St. James’ Park faithful, his defensive contributions are just as crucial in Newcastle’s bid for promotion, and with manager Benitez wanting a solid team, he will be more than happy with his defender’s efforts.

Like a lot of Newcastle fans have been saying since he took over, Rafa knows best.