This article is part of Football FanCast's The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more... 

Federico Fernandez has had to prove himself to his new manager but recent displays suggest he should be one of Steve Bruce's first picks in the heart of defence.

On the chalkboard

Even with Jamaal Lascelles out injured the Magpies boss doesn't have a shortage of options at centre-back to choose from, so he could be forgiven for leaving Fernandez out of the side to begin with.

However, it has clearly proved to be a bit of a mistake. The Argentina international has been on the losing side just once in the six league games he has played, and even that was only a ten-minute cameo at Anfield.

Newcastle's good run of form - picking up seven points out of a possible nine - has coincided with Fernandez starting matches, and his importance was even highlighted with a goal against West Ham.

Bruce does deserve credit for his positive performances, as he has improved his game along with Paul Dummett and even Ciaran Clark, with the latter a bit of a surprise given he was debating leaving the club last summer.

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Best outside the top six clubs

For a player who didn't make his first start until late October, Fernandez has done brilliantly since coming into the side, and if he maintains his performances he should be a shoo-in to start even when Fabian Schar and Florian Lejeune return from injury.

Other than those playing for the 'top-six' clubs the 30-year-old has the best ratio of clearances and blocks made per minute of any centre-back in the Premier League, with a combined total of 11.6 per 90 minutes, 2.5 higher than the next player, Tyrone Mings - although he has played a lot less.

In Newcastle's system he fulfils a vital role. Bruce's side invite a lot of pressure on their defensive final third due to the fact they don't retain the ball - averaging 38% possession this term - and that means they rely on players like Fernandez to clear danger.

Controlling the area in the manner he does reduces the likelihood of shots on goal, so the Magpies should concede less as a result.

His teammates also rank high in the list but the £6m man has made almost double the amount of clearances and blocks than any of them, which shows what Newcastle will be missing out on if he is not in the team.

Bruce should, therefore, repay his performances by trusting him to play even when he has a full squad at his disposal, as a failure to do so could see results take a turn for the worse.