Newcastle United: 8 Best Players Of The Season So Far

6. Massadio Haidara

At the tail end of last season, heading into the summer, Alan Pardew confirmed that Frenchman Haidara would get his chance this season, having been forced to sit out much of last year as second or even third choice. That hasn't quite come off as much as the player might have wanted, as Paul Dummett has seemingly forced his way ahead of him in the pecking order (unjustly - Dummett should be the third choice centre-back), but when Haidara has come on, he has looked very strong. The Frenchman should be the starting left-back at the club - even accounting for mysteriously injured Davide Santon - thanks to his pace, his ability to beat one or two men, and his athleticism. He's the strongest going forward of all three main options (ignoring Anita, Colback and Ryan Taylor), and he's also the strongest defensively, and he showed against Man City that he is more than capable of mixing it with imposing opposition. He will continue to grow, but he needs games.