Full transcript as Joelinton's Newcastle transformation is named 'one of the stories of the season'

Joelinton's transformation from a 'laughing stock' into a key figure in Newcastle United's midfield is 'one of the stories of the season'. That is the view of pundits on BBC's Monday Night Club, where Micah Richards, Chris Sutton and New York Times writer Rory Smith debated the former number nine's revival.

Joelinton continued his impressive run of form by opening the scoring in the Magpies' victory at Brentford, a result which extended the club's unbeaten run to seven matches in the Premier League. The form of the 25-year-old alongside Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock in midfield has been integral to this form, with January signing Bruno Guimaraes forced to settle for substitute appearances so far.

Newcastle sit second to only Liverpool in the Premier League form book for the last six matches, and presenter Mark Chapman led the discussion on the Magpies and Joelinton. Here is a full transcript of the discussion from the BBC's Monday Night Club.

READ MORE: Allan Saint-Maximin announces he's 'back' and the truth about why Newcastle star was in Monaco

What Eddie Howe has done with Joelinton is one of the stories of the season, isn't it Chris?

Yep, I think what Eddie Howe has done with Newcastle as well watching them recently is pretty phenomenal. Now, a decisive factor in the game at the weekend was the sending off but the way Newcastle were playing prior to that, they are a front-foot team.

To think when Joelinton went to Newcastle...heavily mocked, wasn't he? Eddie Howe has played him in this midfield position, and him and [Joe] Willock were brilliant once again at the weekend. His header was exceptional. It's interesting as a few moments earlier, Chris Wood had a similar opportunity and didn't take it.

Joelinton