There’s a lot to like about the current Newcastle United squad: Eddie Howe has instilled a ‘play for the badge, not the name on the back’ mentality that isn’t matched in many clubs elsewhere in the Premier League.
A lot of that is down to some excellent player recruitment choices: bringing in consummate professionals and natural leaders like Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes has done wonders to squad morale and unity.
Then there’s the current captain system: the aforementioned duo alongside Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn and Jacob Murphy are all exceptional leaders on and off the pitch.
And now after a vote amongst the players, a new name is set to be added to the vice captaincy ‘circle’, and it’s a sensible choice but perhaps surprising one in the eyes of the fans…
New addition to leadership group
Nick Pope has been chosen by his teammates to become the newest member of the club’s leadership group.
Following on from Callum Wilson’s release over the summer, a vacancy opened up in Howe’s trusted circle of leaders, and the players were able to democratically choose who they wanted to fill the role, as Craig Hope reported last month.
And it’s now emerged that the honour has gone to the goalkeeper, who beat the likes of Fabian Schar, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali to the position.
Since arriving in 2022, Pope has been the undisputed no.1 choice between the sticks when available, and has been instrumental to our surge up the Premier League table and into Europe after joining from Burnley.
Pope still has big role to play
Even at 33-years-old, Pope is still as important as ever to the gaffer and the rest of the team, especially now his extension has tied him down for another 18 months.
Having just triggered an extension in his contract, it’s looking likely that Pope will not only defeat the ‘competition’ of Aaron Ramsdale replacing him as the no.1 this season, but be our starting goalkeeper for the rest of his Toon career.
Having such a dependable player in his position is huge, and still affords us some time in the coming windows to bring in his eventual replacement and bed them in before Pope hangs up his gloves.
He’s an excellent shot stopper, commands his box well, actually plays the sweeper roll well, he’s a nice guy and obviously liked by his colleagues, if he was better with the ball at his feet he would be the ideal keeper.
MorpethMag(Quote)
My choice would have been Jacob Murphy but Nick Pope is a good choice and long may he assist in our scoring goals as he did Tuesday. Congratulations Nick and thanks buddy.
Martyn Hancock(Quote)
I used to be hung up on the whole distribution thing but a keepers primary job is to stop the ball hitting the back of the net and in Pope he’s right up there with the best.
Great choice for the leadership group.
Absolutely glorious(Quote)