Newcastle United are currently on an enforced break due to the World Cup but reach the halfway stage of their campaign in fine fettle as they sit in third spot in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe's team are being spoken about as Champions League contenders but know there are still 23 matches left to play. Nevertheless, with a slight cushion over fifth-placed Man United, they are in the conversation on merit.
As we await the second part of this unprecedented split season, we assess the performances of Howe's men so far. The ratings are not an average score from the usual player ratings (those will come later) but more an overall opinion-based rating from the first half the campaign.
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Goalkeepers
Nick Pope 9
A really successful signing from Burnley in the summer and has added a degree of invincibility to the defence at times. With seven clean sheets so far in the Premier League, it's easy to see why he's with England at the World Cup.
Some stunning saves in the Prem not to mention his heroics in the penalty shoot-out against Crystal Palace. A great start to his Newcastle career.
Karl Darlow 7
Has only featured once but held his own against Tranmere in the League Cup. Suffered a bad challenge that night and then picked up an ankle injury in training. Fit-again but facing tough task to dislodge Pope.
Right-backs
Kieran Trippier 9
Makes things click for Newcastle with his positivity and non-stop determination to make things happen. Has been excellent defensively and also a major threat from set-plays. Has three assists to his name and a wonderful free-kick against Man City.
But brings so much more to the table and is so influential around the club.
Javier Manquillo 6
Very much a back-up option to Trippier but has recovered from surgery to play in a couple of games this term. Reliable enough but hard to see the Spanish defender having a long-term future on Tyneside.
Emil Krafth 6
Suffered a horror injury at Tranmere just weeks after signing a new contract. Not currently registered and facing a long battle back to fitness after knee damage in August.
Left-backs
Matt Targett 7
Lost his place in the starting line-up to Dan Burn who has not looked back after being thrown in as cover when Targett suffered a dead leg in August. Will be disappointed with the first half of the season after an excellent loan stint from Aston Villa which was turned into a permanent move.
Still a quality operator but will have to rediscover that end-of-season form from 2021/22 to get the nod over Burn.
Jamal Lewis 6
Hasn't really got started this season with just a cameo in the Premier League and 45 minutes away to Tranmere. His task has become even harder at Newcastle with Burn's performances at left-back. A speedy full-back who now needs game-time, could this point to a January loan?
Paul Dummett 6
Difficult to fully assess the long-serving Geordie after a season of ankle trouble meaning he has not featured in the Premier League. Played his part in the League Cup win over Tranmere with a gritty display and a result that could mean something big later in the season. Raring to get back after signing a one-year deal last summer.
Centre-backs
Fabian Schar 8
Has been outstanding in the heart of defence and another player to experience something of a rejuvenation under Eddie Howe. Rock solid at the back and one of the first names on the team sheet. Currently in his best form as a Newcastle player.
Sven Botman 9
After a £34million move from Lille many wondered how long it would take the centre-back to settle in. Even Howe was cautious and didn't start with him in early games but he has shown what a classy and elegant defender he is. Unlucky to miss out on World Cup place but that could be Newcastle's gain in second half of the season.
Jamaal Lascelles 7
The club captain has found himself sidelined and his only start came in the Magpies' only defeat of the season away to Liverpool. Has coped well when thrown in during cameos and put in a good solid performance in the League Cup away to Tranmere, where he scored, and at home to Crystal Palace.
Dan Burn 8
Has never let anybody down after being switched to left-back with talk of a possible England call-up at one stage. Has more than played his part in the seven clean sheets. Hard to see Howe dropping him on current form.
Midfielders
Sean Longstaff 8
A player that has excelled under Howe in a competitive midfield battle. Scored at Fulham and has a couple of assists to his name. Good stuff from the 25-year-old so far.
Joe Willock 8
Has added goals to his game in the last couple of matches before the World Cup with strikes at Southampton and Chelsea. Was excellent away to Fulham on a day in which he provided two assists in the 4-1 win.
Joelinton 8
The Brazilian has had a remarkable year in midfield and in the front three. Tough in the engine room battles and can offer a threat going forward too. An excellent season so far regardless of where he plays.
Jonjo Shelvey 6
Suffered a nightmare hamstring injury away to Benfica in pre-season. Has triggered a new deal to extend his stay by an extra year via a handful of cameos. His next task is the slightly tougher assignment of dislodging Willock or Longstaff which won't be easy.
Bruno Guimaraes 9
What can you say about Bruno that hasn't already been said? The Brazil international is an automatic starter and potential future captain of the club. Three goals and two assists to his name already but oozes class in the midfield. A candidate for player of the year already.
Elliot Anderson 7
Anderson was held back from a loan spell this summer and has been restricted to cup starts and cameos from the bench. We're yet to see the very best of him but what he's done so far he's done very well. It could be an exciting second half of the season from the teenager.
Wingers
Allan Saint-Maximin 8
A season interrupted by hamstring trouble but has still shone in matches when available. Was 10/10 against Man City in a 3-3 draw one a day when the world saw him at his best. A stunning equaliser at Wolves followed before injury struck. Still a class act.
Miguel Almiron 10
Newcastle's clear winner when it comes to the star performer in part one of the season. With eight goals to his name he is top scorer with some crackers in his collection already, not least THAT strike at Fulham in a 4-1 win. Has been heavily involved in United's attacking play but not shy of defensive work when needed. His clean sweep of awards in October summed it all up.
Ryan Fraser 6
A groin injury held him back at the start of the season but still a very good player on his day. Needs a run of games to get back in the groove.
Jacob Murphy 8
Knows there is intense competition for places but has taken his chances when they've come along. A goal against Brentford in the 5-1 win and an assist away to Southampton. Also sparkled away at Fulham and it's hard to argue with his contributions overall.
Matt Ritchie 6
Another to suffer injury woe. Has barely featured in the Premier League but weighed in against Tranmere in the 2-1 win.
Strikers
Callum Wilson 8
The 30-year-old has stayed injury free to win his place at the World Cup with England and deservedly so. Six goals to his name and has been a real threat in attack. If Newcastle get the service right to this lethal marksman they can go far.
Alexander Isak 7
What we've witnessed so far has been good with a strike on his debut at Liverpool. Showed courage to take a penalty against Bournemouth before suffering an injury on international duty with Sweden. The £63million man is pencilled in for a comeback in December.
Chris Wood 7
The New Zealand international has had to be patient but has taken chances that came his way. Netted at Tranmere and away to Southampton while also nailing a crucial penalty in the shoot-out against Crystal Palace. Won't get bucketloads of chances so has to stay sharp.
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