There’s a real argument to make that Martin Dubravka is Newcastle’s Player of the Season.
There aren’t many players in the Toon’s squad who have looked like a top-six calibre player, but Dubravka is certainly showing that he has the talent to play for one of the division’s top sides.
Indeed, the Slovak has the sixth-best save percentage of any goalkeeper who has played at least half of their club’s minutes this term, and despite facing more shots on target than any other goalkeeper he has the eighth-highest clean sheet percentage.
After a rather disappointing season, the Magpies may want to consider a few players’ future at the club, especially in an attacking sense after scoring just 24 goals in 28 league games.
Watch Newcastle United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
Surprisingly, Dubravka’s position is one that Steve Bruce may want to consider, due to the performances of one loanee.
Freddie Woodman is still on the books at St James’ park, and the England U20 World Cup hero has been in scintillating form for Swansea during his loan spell this season.
The goalkeeper’s stats show just how good he has been for the Swans.
Much like Dubravka, he’s had to face a ridiculous number of shots, with 134 efforts being fired at his goal this season, but he’s managed to save 94 of those for a save percentage of almost 68 per cent.
Now, that isn’t as strong as Dubravka’s 72.5%, but he does concede fewer goals per 90 minutes this season.
The pair’s clean sheet percentage is also similar, but it has to be said that Dubravka just about edges it on the stats.
However, it has to be considered that the Slovak is eight years older than Woodman, and if Bruce wants to start building towards the future, the 23-year-old could be the man he looks towards.
The current Swansea number one has a lot of potential and with Newcastle playing in such a negative fashion these days, netting the lowest goal tally of any Premier League side, a good goalkeeper is absolutely vital to their style of play.
Dubravka has been brilliant during his time as the Magpies’ number one, but Bruce needs to seriously weigh up his two options when Woodman returns from his loan spell.
In other news, Steve Bruce has clarified his position on one Newcastle player.
