Kieran Trippier is currently out injured but he has already had a huge impact on Newcastle United since his January arrival.
He has found the net against Everton and Aston Villa and is seemingly still a hugely influential presence behind the scenes.
Sky Sports pundit Karen Carney has hailed Trippier in an article for the Guardian and predicted that the Magpies will survive after their recent run.
“Newcastle have shown how quickly things can turn thanks to an unbeaten run of seven games, including four wins, which has lifted them to 14th,” she wrote.
“They have been aided by new signings, especially Kieran Trippier, who has scored twice to help secure six vital points.
“The full-back’s ability from dead-ball situations is priceless at the lower end of the table and Newcastle will miss him as he recovers from a foot injury.
“Most teams battling relegation struggle to create chances, so having someone who can settle a match with a free-kick or send in inch-perfect crosses from set pieces is a huge asset.
“But momentum is key in football and the fact Newcastle now have it should see them to safety.”
Trippier was the first one to take the plunge and move to Newcastle and that probably laid the groundwork for more players to follow.
That will never be forgotten, no matter how long the road ahead to success and Trippier would already be a worthy club captain.
It is to be hoped that he can return before the end of the season but his injury came at such a frustrating time and Newcastle have not been derailed by it.
That is credit to the unity and spirit Eddie Howe has instilled at the club and that has propelled them up the table to the point where they already look all but safe in the opening week of March.
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