ESPN's Ian Darke names his Premier League Team of the Season so far - Newcastle United very underappreciated

Veteran football commentator Ian Darke has had a crack at picking his Team of the Season so far for ESPN and we can't help but wonder if he's watched any Newcastle United games this season?

Obviously, Newcastle didn't start the season strong, we all remember that, unfortunately, but since December, nobody would bat an eye if you put the entire Newcastle starting XI in there.

Averaged out over the season, we'd still expect more than the one blindingly obvious representative in there.

There are no prizes for guessing that it is, of course, Alexander Isak who makes the grade for the Magpies. Darke has probably only put him in to appease Arsenal fans who believe that he will be a Gunner before long anyway.

Ian Darke went full on generic with his Alexander Isak write up

Here's what Ian Darke had to say about Isak to justify his selection for ESPN.

"The Sweden international has scored in each of the last seven games to lead a Newcastle revival. Quick and almost balletic in his movements, Isak's all-round contributions to Eddie Howe's team makes him the best No. 9 in the game right now. He scores all types of goals -- 13 in the league -- and, with the club valuing his transfer fee at £150m, most clubs won't be able to afford signing him. It's Newcastle's way of saying 'hands off!'"

You don't even need to have watched Newcastle play this season to know this about Isak. Just pick up a paper, watch a football YouTube Channel, or talk to a Newcastle or Arsenal fan.

No Lewis Hall? No credibility!

Are we saying that Newcastle should dominate the Team of the Season? Absolutely not, but when you also have a list of substitutes and don't have even one of Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon or Bruno Guimaraes in there, you really have to wonder what Newcastle has done to upset Ian Darke.

Lewis Hall especially, should feel aggrieved. The lad has got better with every game, broke into the England team and made a strong case to be the first-choice left-back for his country and he doesn't even make the bench? We're not even saying he should replace Antonee Robinson, Darke's write-up justifies his inclusion, but come on. Acknowledgement is required.

I wonder how many other club sites are writing similar things about their players today. It's a funny old game, innit?