A closer look at how Newcastle United’s defenders have performed in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle United head into the international break 12th in the Premier League table, with 35 points on the board, eight games remaining and a bit of work to do before they can rest easy.
Currently 10 points clear of the relegation zone, there is no suggestion the Magpies will get pulled into a late battle to avoid the drop; they are certainly safe from that. But three defeats in a row means Newcastle have a big corner to turn when they return to domestic matters.
Now we have entered another unwanted break, we are taking a look at Newcastle’s defenders in the league this season and how they have performed.
Using HITC’s formula to calculate defensive contribution by adding up key attributes, Newcastle’s best defender in the league to date has been Paul Dummett.
The 23-year-old has played 21 Premier League games this season and he has impressed time and again, meaning the knee injury he suffered in February could not have come at a worse time for his club.
In the five league games he has missed to date, Newcastle have lost four of them, proving emphatically just how important the youngster is.
| Outfield blocks per game | Tackles won per game | Effective clearances per game | Effective headed clearances per game | Duels won per game | Aerials won per game | Interceptions won per game | Total | Mins Played | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Taylor | 1.1 | 0.3 | 5.3 | 3.5 | 3 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 15.8 | 653 |
| Fabricio Coloccini | 0.58 | 1.35 | 5.35 | 3.27 | 3.73 | 1.58 | 2.04 | 17.9 | 2,297 |
| Michael Williamson | 0.56 | 0.64 | 5.68 | 3.6 | 4.72 | 3.04 | 1.24 | 19.48 | 1,903 |
| Paul Dummett | 0.33 | 1.24 | 6.71 | 4 | 5.95 | 3.81 | 1.33 | 23.37 | 1,749 |
| Ryan Taylor | 0.29 | 1 | 3 | 1.29 | 2.29 | 0.43 | 0.86 | 9.16 | 335 |
| Massadio Haidara | 0.2 | 1.4 | 3.13 | 1.73 | 5.73 | 1.2 | 2.27 | 15.66 | 1,099 |
| Daryl Janmaat | 0.2 | 2.03 | 2.53 | 1.1 | 4.77 | 0.9 | 2.17 | 13.7 | 2,654 |
In our table above, Dummett comes out with an impressive 23.37, well ahead of all his fellow Newcastle defenders.
Averaging the most effective clearances, duels won and aerials won, his absence is a huge blow, but his future at St James’ Park looks extremely bright.
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