Sven Botman has surprised Eddie Howe when it comes to his technical quality on the ball.
The Dutchman was fantastic against Manchester United as he kept Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian ace Antony quiet during the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.
Botman is yet to taste defeat in a Newcastle shirt after nine matches so far and has committed himself to the club by snubbing Holland Under-21 duties to focus on life at St James' Park.
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Howe said today: "My faith in him is huge. We really fought to sign him and we stuck to our guns because he was the one we wanted. "I see so much potential in his game.
"He's very good on the ball but he's surprised me with how good his technical delivery has been."
Botman is starting form a great understanding with Fabian Schar in the middle. It was debated long and hard over the summer who Howe's centre-back pairing would be with Jamaal Lascelles and Dan Burn also in the battle for places.
But the team seems to be settling down now and Howe has a pattern developing with his selections.
Howe was ecstatic about Botman's progress, he said: "He's very composed in what is a very frantic league and that is really valuable.
"Defensively he's got all the tools. "He needs to work and develop parts of his game like everyone else but I do feel like he's got a huge platform to build and grow into the defender he's going to be."
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