2021 has been pretty awful for Newcastle United results-wise.
The Magpies obviously started the calendar year under the stewardship of Steve Bruce.
The club flirted with relegation in 2021/22, but ultimately put together some good form just at the right time.
But Bruce oversaw an awful start to the current season, and was finally sacked in October following the long-awaited takeover by PIF.
2021 has undoubtedly been tough, but hopefully a strong January transfer window will see next year be much better.
Despite a bad year, here are three players who have done well for Newcastle.
Joelinton
Joelinton has received huge criticism since coming to the club from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2019.
The Brazilian really struggled for months after his £40 million club-record transfer.
However, 2021 has seen the South American really improve.
Joelinton enjoyed a decent finish to the 2020/21 campaign, and arguably, he has been the club’s best performer so far in 2021/22.
He’s been superb in this struggling team, and is clearly working his socks off.
Under Howe he has looked very promising indeed, and Newcastle fans will really hope he can finally kick on.
Miguel Almiron recently spoke really highly of his fellow South America and shared how happy he was for him – a feeling many Newcastle fans will share.
Allan Saint-Maximin
It is no coincidence Newcastle struggled when Allan Saint-Maximin was on the sidelines with a calf injury last season.
He was out for a total of 12 games last term, and the Magpies won just two of those.
In the end, the Frenchman made some important contributions to Newcastle’s survival bid. His brilliant displays against Burnley and Liverpool springing to mind.
And at the start of 2021/22, Saint-Maximin started really well, scoring two goals and making three assists in his first five matches.
Just lately he has gone off the boil though, and Newcastle desperately need the maverick to start shining again soon.
Callum Wilson
Where would Newcastle be without Callum Wilson?
The star is by far and away Newcastle’s biggest threat.
2021 has been a decent year personally for the former Bournemouth star.
Like with Saint-Maximin, Newcastle really struggled when he picked up an injury in February, with the club winning none of the seven games he missed.
The club fared better when he got injured again for the last three games, winning twice.
This season, Wilson has had more injury problems, but has still managed to score six goals.
Newcastle just need him to stay fit. If that happens, the club have a good chance of survival with a few quality additions in the right areas.
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