'Better than I thought': Eddie Howe now heaps praise on 'incredible' Newcastle man after solid season

There are a couple of players who could be strongly considered for Newcastle United's Player of the Season with just seven games of the campaign to go.

Anthony Gordon feels like the most likely winner given his consistency and the importance of his goals and assists this season, but hot on his heels are Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar.

That trio have managed to stay fit all season in a campaign that has been absolutely peppered with injuries, but not only that, they've stuck to their task regardless of who has partnered them on the pitch and all performed admirably.

Fabian Schar should get extra credit as a player who was already at the club when Eddie Howe came in, but not only that, it looked like his Newcastle career was over after being left out in the cold by Steve Bruce.

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Eddie Howe says there aren't many who can do what Schar does

Since being given a chance to prove himself by Howe, Schar has never looked back and is now his Mr Reliable, shaking off every knock to ensure he is available for selection.

Now Eddie Howe has told the Shields Gazette just how highly he rates Schar.

“I think he has been incredible this year. When I first came to the football club I knew of Fabby as I had watched him a lot and I had an impression of how good he was. As you do with all the players. But Fabby is an incredible footballer, better than I ever thought he was and I rated him really highly.

“Some of the things he does on a football pitch we should celebrate as there’s not many centre halves that can do what he can do. The challenge for him, as always with the type of player he is, is to be as consistent as he can be. I think that’s been the hallmark of him this season that he has delivered that consistency and I’m delighted for him.”

Schar has hardly had the most settled of campaigns

Incredibly, we've seen fans criticising Schar, claiming he's not good enough, and while he has made a couple of errors, who hasn't? Especially this season.

The Swiss has found himself paired up with a different partner almost every week, being swapped from RCB to LCB and back again depending on who he's playing alongside and he just gets on with it.

For us, Gordon still edges it for our vote for Player of the Season, but Fabian Schar is right up there in the second spot.