Schar shows the spirit the Magpies need
FAB STEPS UP TO SAVE DAY WITH CRUCIAL CLEARANCE
FABIAN Schar has certainly shown what he can do going forward for club and country this month, but the Switzerland international sent a timely reminder of his defensive qualities with a stunning goal-line clearance against Brighton on Saturday.
Martin Dubravka must have feared the worst after Aaron Connolly lobbed the Newcastle United goalkeeper as he rushed out to close the substitute down but Schar, somehow, got back to keep the scores goalless with a quarter of an hour to go.
You certainly would not have known Schar came off with a calf injury just a week previously and the 27-year-old’s overhead clearance epitomised the never-say-die spirit the Magpies will need to tap into this season – and that served them so well under Rafa Benitez.
On a disappointing night – Newcastle were booed off at half-time and full-time – Steve Bruce felt Schar was the home side’s standout performer. Not for the first time this season.
It said it all that the headline on Sky Sports’ highlights package of the 0-0 draw was ‘Fabian Schar’s tremendous goal-line clearance denies Brighton’ and that could yet prove a crucial moment.
Yes, Brighton had 71% of possession. Yes, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton both spurned opportunities. Yes, Newcastle looked ragged but a defeat would have been catastrophic, particularly with fixtures against Leicester, Manchester United and Chelsea to come.
After the game, Bruce admitted his side was one point below par after six games so, going by that logic, the aim is to reach 38 points.
That total was enough to survive in the Premier League in the last six seasons.
As early as pre-season, Jonjo Shelvey said the aim was to survive again and it is hard to see this being anything but a campaign where Newcastle need to dig in. Where goalline clearances, like Paul Dummett’s at Bournemouth last season, are going to be so important. Schar, who averaged a goal every seven games last season, will play a crucial role and the straighttalker is evolving into an important figure in the dressing room.
While others hinted it was a point gained, following an awful start, Schar was quick to admit Newcastle played ‘a s*** game.’ These players have set standards and know they have to do so much better.
The return of Andy Carroll and Allan Saint-Maximin has given everyone a boost at least and Florian Lejeune has been given the green light from his specialist to join in with training, which could yet prove a crucial development, too. Newcastle are well stocked at centre-back – so much so Federico Fernandez has made only one start this season – but Lejeune could give that back line a new dimension with his vision and passing. Although he missed a free header in the first half from Jonjo Shelvey’s corner, Joelinton lacked service against Brighton and has previously thrived on balls into the channel from Schar, which Lejeune can also hit. The idea of using Schar in the middle of the back three is something whch has crossed Bruce’s mind and the Newcastle head coach also feels, if necessary, the defender could move into threeman midfield - as he did on occasion under Benitez.
Of course it was Benitez who signed Schar after being tipped off about his modest relegation release clause at Deportivo but, ironically, he was not his firstchoice when it came to signing a new centre-back last summer.
Schar is edging closer to the halfway point of that three-year deal and clubs at home and abroad have certainly taken note of his performances this year.
The centre-back is happy at St James’ Park but, as Lee Charnley looks to extend of the contracts of the nucleus of the squad, how fans will hope the Magpies eventually tie him down to a new deal.
Keeping hold of your best players, obviously, sends the right message.
Schar will play a crucial role and the straight talker is evolving into an important figure in the dressing room