‘Outstanding’ Newcastle player could save PIF millions this month, he’s really improving

Add as preferred source on Google

There was panic at Newcastle United when Nick Pope was forced off against Manchester United.

He became the latest long-term casualty on Tyneside, with Pope undergoing shoulder surgery that would rule him out for months.

It meant that Martin Dubravka would be Newcastle’s number one again, while there was immediate speculation that a replacement could be signed. Talk of David De Gea joining on a free began to circulate, but the word out of the club was that Dubravka would get a chance to prove himself.

He certainly has had a chance, playing every minute of the Magpies’ previous nine games.

But questions were quickly asked of the Slovakian. He struggled in defeats to Everton and Tottenham Hotspur, suggesting that his presence in goal was going to be a real hindrance during Pope’s absence.

This led to louder calls for Newcastle to sign a goalkeeper, but those shouts have quietened down over the past week.

Martin Dubravka has improved so much after sluggish return to Newcastle XI

That is because Dubravka is suddenly looking back to his best.

While Newcastle may have lost 4-2 to Liverpool on New Year’s Day, it would have been so much worse had it not been for the 34-year-old.

In the words of Eddie Howe, he was ‘outstanding’ against Liverpool, producing save after save to keep a rampant Reds side at bay. He played really well at Anfield, and then he took that form to the Stadium Of Light.

Dubravka got a clean sheet in the Tyne-Wear derby, in a game that Newcastle dominated. However, Dubravka was still made to work, and some of his saves were sublime.

His one to deny Pierre Ekwah shortly after Alexander Isak made it 2-0 was outrageous, denying the Sunderland midfielder with his leg after the shot took a massive deflection. If that had gone in, it could have been a very different game.

But it did not, thanks to the efforts of Dubravka.

Newcastle can rely on Dubravka again

While he is not on Pope’s level, he is suddenly looking like a goalkeeper who can be relied upon. That is all Newcastle need while the England international is out of action.

Toon officials will be delighted with how well Dubravka is now doing, as it negates the need for the club to invest in a new goalkeeper. His recent form could save the club millions, and mean that there is more money to be invested elsewhere during the January transfer window.

Dubravka looks back to his best, and long may it continue.