St James’ Park is usually home to a crowd-pleaser or two that every young Geordie is desperate to have on the back of their shirt. Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and David Ginola were three players from yesteryear who earned plenty of plaudits for their eye-catching displays.
In recent times, Allan Saint-Maximin has carried the burden of keeping Toon supporters on the edge of their seats. The club shop sells thousands of replica shirts with the Frenchman’s name emblazoned on the back.
However, there have also been dozens of players who, despite not receiving a pat on the back every week, still turned up and put 110% effort in for the black-and-white cause. ChronicleLive has compiled a list of the grafters and triers who deserve more recognition for their time on Tyneside.
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Here is our Newcastle United “unsung XI” of the Premier League era. Do you agree?
GK - Steve Harper
Almost a quarter of Harper’s appearances (45) came in one season - the 2009-10 Championship-winning campaign. The majority of the goalkeeper’s time at the club was spent as a backup goalkeeper, first to Pavel Srnicek and Shaka Hislop and then to long-standing number one Shay Given.
His acceptance as understudy prevented Newcastle managers many a headache over the years but Harper rarely let the side down when called upon. A 20-year career at the club came to an emotional end in 2013.
RB - Steve Watson
One of the most versatile players in Newcastle’s history, Watson would play anywhere to represent Newcastle. A right-back by trade, that place was usually occupied by Warren Barton during the “Entertainers” era.
Watson wore every kit number from 2-11 during his eight-year stint in the first-team ranks, playing in midfield and even as a wide forward for the Magpies. The only position he never had to fill was goalkeeper - earning him a spot in this unsung XI.
CB - Nikos Dabizas
Dabizas etched his name into Geordie folklore when he scored the winner against Sunderland in February 2002. Despite signing for a pittance, the Greek defender was pivotal in Newcastle reaching the FA Cup final two years in a row - playing in both Wembley clashes.
The centre-back slot was a tough position to choose but his goal in the Tyne-Wear derby nudges Dabizas in front.
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CB - James Perch
Newcastle thought they had signed a dud after Perch arrived in 2010. The versatile player arrived for £1.5million and became the first in top-flight history to receive a yellow card in each of his first five games.
A long time out of the side ended the following season due to an injury crisis - and Perch stepped up. Combative displays in midfield and defence helped the Magpies finish fifth and, with it, “Perchinio” was born.
LB - Paul Dummett
The third local lad on the list, injuries in recent seasons have taken the shine off an otherwise solid Newcastle career. There is nothing flash about Dummett, but supporters recognise the Kenton native as a “steady Eddie” who rarely lets the side down.
Over 200 games for United is a boyhood dream fulfilled.
RM - Jonas Gutierrez
Gutierrez is lauded - and rightly so - due to his emotional farewell in May 2015. However, during his pomp, the Argentine polarised the fanbase despite working his socks off when representing the club.
One goal and an assist on his final appearance against West Ham helped secure Premier League survival as Gutierrez took aim at Mike Ashley. The stats do not show a productive seven-year spell on Tyneside but he was often the foil for more attacking midfielders like Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa.
CM - David Batty
Batty was the midfield anchor during the Kevin Keegan days. While everyone else - including the defence - were focused on attack, the former Leeds United man provided some sanity in the engine room.
CM - Isaac Hayden
Similar to Batty, Hayden is defence-orientated and holding midfielders are often awarded the “unsung” tag. A pivotal role in securing promotion in 2016-17, Hayden was valued by Rafa Benitez - who nabbed the then youngster from Arsenal’s youth setup.
Helping the Magpies survive during challenging times at St James’ Park is also commendable. Hayden left to join Norwich on loan last month and Newcastle fans wished him all the best.
LM - Scott Sellars
Sellars was instrumental in securing promotion to the Premier League in 1993. The winger bagged the only goal of the game against Sunderland in April that year, meaning United only needed one point from their final three games to go up.
Keegan soon displaced Sellars once the club was in the top flight but his heroics in 1992-93 alone make a worthy mention in this side.
ST - Peter Lovenkrands
Pound for pound, Lovenkrands was one of the best signings of the Mike Ashley era. A free transfer, the forward could not keep the club up after signing in January 2009.
But the deadly strike partnership he forged alongside Andy Carroll was a key reason in Newcastle bouncing back up. Once his strike partnership left to join Liverpool for £35million, Lovenkrands chipped in with a few vital strikes to keep United in the division.
ST - Daryl Murphy
Six goals in 18 outings does not seem a lot but Murphy contributed towards the tail end of the Championship campaign under Benitez. Horses for courses is exactly how to describe the Irishman’s time on Tyneside as his selfless displays in the second tier helped get the Magpies over the line.
Murphy is proof you can shatter your Sunderland connections and still prove a hit with Newcastle supporters.
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