Bruno Guimaraes hails 'the future' of Newcastle United as he picks two players who have made a huge difference this season
It has been a slow start to the season for Newcastle United, which isn't out of character for the Magpies if we're being honest.
However, this season, there's perhaps a reasonable excuse for the slow start, given the number of new players who need to be integrated into the side, especially given how late most of them arrived in the window.
Eddie Howe didn't have the luxury of having an entire summer to bed in his new players, as he'd have hoped, so most of the new signings have had to learn on the job.
Nick Woltemade got thrown in at the deep end when Yoane Wissa picked up an injury before even making his debut, but he's adapted brilliantly.
Bruno Guimaraes has been very impressed with Malick Thiaw since he arrived at St James' Park
However, it's the other German summer signing that has come in for praise from his new captain, as Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman have combined to form an amazing partnership at the heart of the Newcastle defence.
While Botman isn't a new signing per se, the fact that he's just back after such a lengthy absence makes him feel like one, and the partnership he's created with Thiaw is brand new and very exciting, with Bruno Guimaraes telling reporters (h/t Four Four Two) after the game on Sunday that they are 'the future' of the club.
“What a player, what a player. He surprised me a lot; he is very good with the ball, without the ball. He is quick, smart, breaking the lines.
“He and Sven are the future of this club. They are very comfortable with the ball, they don’t feel the pressure. They have been amazing together.”
Get Sven Botman tied down to a new deal ASAP
Eddie Howe feels the same way, touching on the job his new centre-back pairing has done since he put them together, but the gaffer also made sure that the partnership of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn got the credit they deserved, too.
As a club, Newcastle have never been known for its defensive play, but under Eddie Howe, that has changed as clean sheets have become as celebrated as goals. However, the rock-solid defences haven't come at the expense of entertaining attacking football.
Newcastle must now make sure they get Sven Botman tied down to a new deal. We understand there's some trepidation due to his injury issues, but for us, it's more of a risk to leave him susceptible to bids from 'bigger clubs'. If we learned anything this summer, it's that our top players won't just stick around because they are adored.
