Alan Shearer will never stop waxing lyrical about this Newcastle United team.
Eddie Howe’s side have done what Alan Shearer could not, bringing silverware back to St James’ Park.
Newcastle United won the Carabao Cup on March 16th, beating Liverpool 2-1. Since then, the celebrations have not stopped.
The Magpies continue to ride a wave of momentum, while supporters never tire of reminiscing about that special day at Wembley.
Alan Shearer names Newcastle United’s unsung hero
The same goes for Alan Shearer, who has been asked to name Newcastle’s current unsung hero during an interview for the Optus Sport YouTube channel.
The Toon icon took it as an opportunity to praise Dan Burn, reflecting on the giant defender’s remarkable story.
“Well he got the hero’s worship in the final, I guess it’s Dan Burn,” he said.
“I said to him afterwards when I was having a drink with him when they were celebrating: ‘You might as well retire because it’s not going to get any better’. But then he said to me: ‘I might score for England on Friday evening’.
“It’s just an incredible story. From where he started to being rejected, having to work his way back up and then finding himself back home in Newcastle. And then for him to go to Wembley and score one of the goals that won Newcastle the cup. It’s the stuff of dreams for a local boy. I wanted that. I craved that. But it didn’t happen. It couldn’t happen to a nicer bloke than Dan.
“He really has been outstanding this season. I’m delighted for him because he’s such a great bloke.”
Newcastle United’s other unsung hero
Burn truly has been outstanding this season. Even before his career-defining moment in the Carabao Cup final and his England debut, the 32-year-old was playing spectacularly well.
But the £13million centre-back is not the only unsung hero at Newcastle United right now.
While there are plenty of Toon players who are rightly receiving a lot of plaudits – notably Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento – Harvey Barnes is a player who has really stepped up in recent weeks.
Following Anthony Gordon’s red card against Brighton, it was unclear who would come into the side and play on the left of attack. While Barnes was the natural choice, it certainly did not feel like a guarantee.
But he has started every game since, with Barnes justifying Eddie Howe’s faith. The 27-year-old has been decisive in key moments, getting either a goal or an assist in three consecutive Premier League games. Barnes was also influential in the Carabao Cup final, playing a part in both of the Magpies’ goals at Wembley.
While Anthony Gordon is a superstar, it is suddenly not guaranteed that he will walk straight back into the starting XI when he is available again.
Barnes has seized his opportunity, and is perhaps the true unsung hero at St James’ Park right now.
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