It has been an interesting season for Newcastle United so far with a real mixture of results - but which players have stood out and which have struggled?
Newcastle are one point worse off in the Premier League than they were after 12 matches last season but have had Champions League football and a serious injury crisis to contend with.
After losing three of their opening four matches, Newcastle got things back on track in September and October with a seven-game unbeaten run which included five wins and five clean sheets.
The Magpies sit seventh in the Premier League table and have reached the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup but only have a slim chance of progressing from their Champions League group following back to back defeats against Borussia Dortmund.
But at this relatively early stage in the season, who has shone and who has struggled for The Magpies so far? We have looked at every member of Newcastle’s squad plus any younger players who have made an appearance and ranked and rated them based on their contributions so far.
Ratings also take into account expectations relative to the players in question. For example 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley is not expected to produce the same level of performances as £52million summer signing Sandro Tonali.
In total, we have rated 29 Newcastle United players to determine our top performers from the opening 18 matches in all competitions during the opening four months of the season. Ratings will be updated periodically throughout the season.
Here are the ratings in full...
25. Bruno Guimaraes - 8.5
Made a slow start to the season by his high standards but has been very impressive since and missed just one match. Guimaraes is crucial player in Eddie Howe’s side who brings so much calmness and quality in possession. Ended the campaign with seven goals and 10 assists - a goal involvement figure bettered only by Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak. | Getty Images
26. Alexander Isak - 9
Although Isak had his injury troubles during the season, missing 10 games in total, he also proved he is one of the most deadly strikers in the Premier League. With 25 goals in all competitions during the 2023-24 season, he is the first Newcastle player to reach that tally since Alan Shearer. | Getty Images
27. Anthony Gordon - 9
Gordon was a superstar for Newcastle during the 2023-24 campaign after a tricky start to life on Tyneside the season prior. He made the left-wing position his own with 12 goals and 11 assists to his name. He has scored goals against all of the so-called 'big six' clubs during the season and was rewarded with an England call-up. Newcastle's player of the season. | Getty Images