Newcastle Toons: Player of the Month for September
By Durim Halimi
The editorial staff here at Newcastle Toons have made their selections for Newcastle United’s Player of the Month for September.
Newcastle United are currently experiencing a poor run of form in their first two months of the 2018-19 Premier League campaign. With a performance record of 0-2-5 from seven matches, the Magpies are struggling in the league basement, but some players have played well at an individual level.
The editorial staff here at Newcastle Toons have decided to utilize our platform to give recognition to the players we believe are worthy of the Player of the Month award. With that being said, our staff writers have made and explained their selections below.
Durim Halimi – Federico Fernandez
Federico Fernandez has been playing top quality football for Newcastle since he was granted the opportunity to start for the Magpies a few weeks ago. Fernandez has shown that his experience will be pivotal for Newcastle on the back-line with his timely tackles, good awareness and confrontational style of play. Fernandez has earned the praise of both Rafa Benitez and the Toon Army this month. Overall, Fernandez has settled in well and has become a reliable player.
Carson Merk – DeAndre Yedlin
While Federico Fernandez was a close second, I have to give the nod to DeAndre Yedlin. The speedy right-back had a really solid month of September. He’s been tasked to take on some dangerous attacking talent and has stood up to the challenge. Yedlin also scored the lone goal, his first in the Premier League, in Newcastle United’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City.
Declan Ryan – Martin Dubravka
Whilst Newcastle’s forward players continue to disappoint, and the midfield seem a shadow of their former selves, the Magpies’ back-line continues to be, perhaps, the only saving grace of a side that hasn’t led a game all season. New boy Federico Fernandez has been impressive in central defense so far, but Dubravka continues to be one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Premier League.
For that reason, he deserves the Player of the Month award. He might not be flashy, but without him Newcastle’s goal difference (-6) could be far worse. He is perhaps the most dependable player in the squad.