Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie and Jamal Lewis were the candidates expected to battle it out for the prize of playing second fiddle to Matt Targett this season. However, when the team sheet dropped at the Amex Stadium on Saturday it was Dan Burn who deputised for the left-back on the south coast.
Burn is no stranger to playing full-back after excelling in the role during his time at Brighton. With the Seagulls' defence dominated by the likes of Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster and Ben White in recent years, Graham Potter had to make the decision to play his 6 ft 7in defender out wide.
Burn subsequently flourished in the role and arguably played his best football as a full-back. Quite fitting that when Targett pulled out of Saturday's 0-0 draw, Eddie Howe opted to roll back the years and stick Burn in that position once again on his first return to his former side.
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The January addition enjoyed another stellar performance at the weekend as Newcastle battled hard to take home a share of the spoils. Burn, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Nick Pope all caught the eye as the Magpies dug deep.
It begs the question that should Targett miss more games as the season progresses, does Howe opt for the Geordie giant at full-back again? Saturday's performance would certainly suggest that it is a realistic option.
Speaking about his transition to left-back last year, Burn said: “I like to be taken out of my comfort zone. When I played left-back, I got to learn a lot more about that decision.
“So now I know when we are defending how far across I can pull on the cover or that, when we lose the ball, we can win it right back. Any time you are out on the pitch playing in different positions you just have to learn from it.”
Potter deserves credit for many things at Brighton, including the decision to try Burn in a new role. It's a move that looks like it will benefit Newcastle going forward.
“Part of his great strength is I think he can do quite a lot of things and I wouldn’t close my mind off to him in any position,” Potter told The Athletic. “He can play left of a three, left-back, left centre-back. I think that’s probably the best areas for him and you know he will give his best in whatever you ask him to do.
“It sounds a simple thing but as a coach, you appreciate that. I think he’s led the group in that regard. He’s been one of many players like that in terms of how they have adapted and approached their daily work, doing their best and trying to do whatever job is asked of them to the best of their ability.”
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