There really is no shutting the Newcastle United fans in the Transfer Tavern up right now, such is the nature of the Toon’s stunning form since the opening few weeks of the season. 

Despite suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of Fulham and Huddersfield Town at the start of the campaign, Rafa Benitez’s side have stormed up the league and sit five points clear.

It’s a stark contrast to the tears shed by our Geordie drinkers back in May upon their dismal drop down, with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid coach seemingly in the midst of creating something special on Tyneside.

Key to the Magpies’ revival has been the form of summer signing Dwight Gayle, who has shouldered the weighty burden of being the Toon’s No.9.

13 goals thus far, the former Crystal Palace man is showing all he needed was a chance to operate as a club’s starting forward.

With that in mind, here are TWO reasons Gayle is the Championship’s best ever striker.

Wonderfully lethal

This season, Gayle has averaged a goal every 85 mins in the Championship, despite not being your typical Championship-built centre-forward.

Though he needs a couple of chances to warm up, the 26-year-old is looking certain to score all types of goals.

Free-kicks, solo runs, clever movement AND poacher-like goals, he really has it all.

Rarely has the second-tier seen someone who can pop up with such a variety of goals, especially in the bigger games.

Talisman

This Newcastle side are being touted as the best ever Championship team and there’s little doubting the ex-Crystal Palace marksman is the fulcrum of it.

Having never really established himself in the top tier, Gayle is even keeping a certain Aleksandar Mitrovic at bay.

That’s no mean feat, more indicative of his clinical nature at this level.

Not afraid to step up to the plate, Gayle is pure class.