There had been some talk in May that Newcastle center-back Mike Williamson may not be fully fit to resume training in July.
Mike Williamson – fully fit again
But Mike was at the Benton training grounds yesterday, and the good news is that he seems to be fully recovered from the arm he managed to break in training in early May.
Williamson told the Newcastle web-site yesterday:
“It hasn’t been too bad. It’s just testing day today,” “It’s a case of coming in, making sure everyone is injury-free and making sure we are all ready to go on Thursday when the whole squad are in.”
“I divided my time up over the summer – I enjoyed myself, had a lot of family time and got back into things as well in terms of training so that I was at a good level for when we came back here.”
“We’ve had time to mentally relax, let our hair down and enjoy ourselves, but now it’s all about work and I’m looking forward to getting back up to a good level over pre-season training.”
Williamson has an eight-inch scar down the inside of his right forearm – after the operation that was needed to fix the break he suffered in the gym back in May.
But Mike will now be fully fit to try to keep his first team place in central defense for Newcastle this seaosn.
Mike continued:
“It’s completely fine – 100 per cent,” “It was just one of those things, but it’s allowed me to focus more on my legs really.”
“I went away and did a good bit of training on my legs and worked different areas. But it’s fine now and won’t hold me back at all.”
Of course Steven Taylor came in for the last three games and not only played well defensively, but also managed to score a goal in each of those games.
So it remains to be seen just which two center-backs will be the first choice for next seaosn.
Mike has been a terrific signing for the club, and we are still amazed that we picked this lad up for only £1M from Portsmouth a short eighteen months ago – what a buy!
For the record, 27 year-old Williamson has played 48 times for Newcastle but has yet to score that first goal.
Comments welcome.
35 comments so far
MacToon(Vive le Neuchâtel)
Jul 5, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Comment #1Good news idd but still think we need more strength in depth for our defence and hope that none are sold, maybe Jose yes but no more please.
a.barry
Jul 5, 2011 at 12:58 PM
Comment #2Feel sorry for mike, he had a great season but that broken arm give taylor his chance and he more than took it. Iff most people want Taylor as captian and he stays consistent i really cannot see mike getting a look in. although we are yet to know how consistent taylor will be so it will be great to have a backup like mike!
~Vive la révolution de Châteauneuf~
Jul 5, 2011 at 12:59 PM
Comment #3Good news.
WWJBD
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Comment #4I still think Mike will very much push Taylor for that other CB spot. Still a toss up between the two imo
~Vive la révolution de Châteauneuf~
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:01 PM
Comment #5For 1mill, this guy was a bargain in my opinion, especially if you compare him to the likes of Boumsong. I rate him just below Bassong to be honest. Wasnt sure about him when we got him, but boy has he proven me wrong. He does make a few errors though. Still wouldnt make a dent in Boumsong and Bumbles cabinet of mistakes though…
belfastmagpie87
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:05 PM
Comment #6does anybody no if marveauxs twatter account is real???
nufcmatt
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:08 PM
Comment #7pardew’s comments today saying we’ve already spent most of the £35 million on the club doesn’t sound good, ashley clearly doesn’t want to spend any more money, lucky if we get neil taylor and one striker. surely we should spend the £35 million solely on transfer costs and use the £20 million that ashley promised to put in and tv revenue/season tickets/shirts/etc towards their fees and wages. mackems have spent plenty of money without bullsh1tting their fans.
alex84
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:09 PM
Comment #8good newsm, provides good competition for taylor and colo…
Knocking on Beavans Door
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Comment #9He had a good season until that horror sending off!
gorskino10
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Comment #10~Vive la révolution de Châteauneuf~ @
True at 1M he is an amazing buy and best yet, English. Thinking of all the cash spent of other English Talent like 20M for Henderson 1M for Wilo is crazy.
Like every player they have weaknesses and his pace is rather slow but he is a solid DF and is a great player, hard choice to decide between Wilo and STaylor for CB role
alex84
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:11 PM
Comment #11nufcmatt, the mackems and Liverpool have spent alot on average players, we have done our buisness very well…so far…and pards said last night we will be bringing another striker, wait till the window ends before going nuts!!
G
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:13 PM
Comment #12There was a rumour a while bag on a few websites stating that the first team CB pairing would be STaylor and MWilliamson next season, and that Colo would be sold to further bring down the wage bill? I think it was just started by the doom and gloom mongers determined to just vilify the club for selling. I think the CB pairing next season could be interesting one. My thoughts were MW and Collo were our strongest pairing, but that ST and Collo were our best centre halves. Of course this season I expect Kadar to start pushing for his place too, so I don’t think we need any new CB’s. Full backs on the other hand… ?
Andy
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:14 PM
Comment #13@Vivelarevolution Doesn’t everyone seem a bargain compared to Boumsong? That guy was useless! there is still weaknesses in mikes game he has to cut out as he gives away lots of silly free kicks in and around our box but he was v good last year. Him and saylor at cbs for us if colocini would give me nightmares though
belfastmagpie87
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:15 PM
Comment #14the only bad point about willo,hes got no pace.
still s taylor for me.
Andy
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Comment #15http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_7021213,00.html
Don’t know if anyone has seen this
geoff777
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:21 PM
Comment #16Sure we’ll wait until the window closes.
Can’t help feeling we’re going to get screwed over again.
They’ve spent hardly any of the 35M.
What about this years investment if Carroll hadn’t been sold.
nufcmatt
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:21 PM
Comment #17alex84, i was optimistic about transfers but now pardew is backtracking so early in the window saying most of the money has already been spent, it just sounds that he’s saying this now so they don’t get as much stick when we don’t sign any more players. i don’t rate the players the mackems have signed for what they’ve paid either but it’s just the principle, they are spending money and we should have a lot more money to spend than them, i do think it’s great the way we are dealing with transfers now but we need more.
G
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Comment #18@ post 17. Or it could be a bit of ‘smoke and mirrors’ so the club are not held to ransom over transfer fees? Wouldn’t be the first time under MA’s regime would it?
BiggMarketBoy
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:23 PM
Comment #19cwarr07 Colin
Stay at home mom earns more than $2294 weekly! from Home. read it now at …
Haha, gotta love it! Cwarrshole’s twatter account is hacked..? 🙂
nufcmatt
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:24 PM
Comment #20williamson is well worth the £1 million we paid for him but he’s not great, steven taylor and coloccini are far better, he should be cover for them.
Klatoon
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Comment #21He is so dominant in the air,rarely loses an aerial duel and thought he hasnt scored yet,he almost always wins the back post knockdowns at corners and fk’s which contributed to many of our goals last season. Saylor and Colo pairing are vulnerable at defending crosses which is odd given how good they are when attacking corners in the opposition box. Colo and Willo as 1st choice CB’s IMO
Klatoon
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:28 PM
Comment #22*though*
nufcmatt
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:37 PM
Comment #23klatoon he’s ok but he’s a liability at times, gives away penalties and loses concentration, steven taylor scored 3 goals in 3 games, at least the couple of errors he makes he makes up for by scoring some goals.
dave 1961
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:42 PM
Comment #24Klatoon watch the season review and see how many goals Williamson gives away, but it was his only season in top flight football so he deserves another chance.
GoalsBringSmiles
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:47 PM
Comment #25williamson’s positioning for 3 of arsenals 4 goals in that amazing 4 4 draw was absolutely abysmal, but I do think he done well overall in the season-and this was against Van Persie so I’ll let him off! Still I think we could do with another CB to put pressure on Williamson and let taylor and simpson battle it out for RB
John
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:49 PM
Comment #26mike is far better than taylor at cb, should be a straight fight between simpson and taylor for RB.
John
Jul 5, 2011 at 1:50 PM
Comment #27Upson availble on a free, bassong can play LB and CB
Toon for ever
Jul 5, 2011 at 2:04 PM
Comment #28Williamson is awful, definately not good enough for us! Taylor and Collocini are in a different league compared to him, i’d sell Williamson and let a couple of the youngsters through this season instead
Mo Drysdale
Jul 5, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Comment #29Team if we started tomorrow:
==================Krul===================
=======Saylor====Williamson====Coloccini=====
Gutierrez===========Tiote============Ferguson
=====Barton======Ben-Arfa====Marveaux======
==================Ba====================
Bench/Cover:
GK/Harper, Soberberg
RFB/Simpson, Tavernier
RMF & CMF/Raylor, Gosling
CMF/Guthrie, Inman
CMF & LMF/Vuckic
LMF/Lua Lua
CF & 2nd ST/Airey/Ameobi(Younger)
CF/Best, Ameobi (Older)
Sell:
Forster: (With a by back reliese clause)
Enrique: 9 Mill ?
Perch: 1 Mill ?
Routledge: 1.5 Mill ?
Smith: 0 Mill ? (Save wages)
Loven k: 1 Mill ?
12.5 Mill
Loan: Ranger, Richardson, Donaldson,
Buy:
1 x CF: Sturridge (10 Mill) ?
1 x MF: Nzogbia (9 Mill) ?
2 x LFB: Mbegu / Taylor(5+1 Mill) ?
Total 25 Mill – 12.5 from sales = 12.5 outgoings from savings
estechco
Jul 5, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Comment #30BiggMarketBoy : Perhaps he is just bracing for us the day he says some of us comments from the last month were hacked too?
Mo Drysdale
Jul 5, 2011 at 2:33 PM
Comment #31Big M Boy, cheers mate, if I had a brain I would be dangerous.
Revised team if we started tomorrow:
==================Krul===================
=======Saylor====Williamson====Coloccini=====
Gutierrez===========Tiote============Ferguson
=======Cabaye====Ben-Arfa====Marveaux======
==================Ba====================
Bench/Cover:
GK/Harper, Soberberg
RFB/Simpson, Tavernier
RMF & CMF/Barton, Raylor, Gosling
CMF/Guthrie, Inman
CMF & LMF/Vuckic
LMF/Lua Lua
CF & 2nd ST/Airey/Ameobi(Younger)
CF/Best, Ameobi (Older)
Sell:
Forster: (With a by back reliese clause)
Enrique: 9 Mill ?
Perch: 1 Mill ?
Routledge: 1.5 Mill ?
Smith: 0 Mill ? (Save wages)
Loven k: 1 Mill ?
12.5 Mill
Loan: Ranger, Richardson, Donaldson,
Buy:
1 x CF: Sturridge (10 Mill) ?
1 x MF: Nzogbia (9 Mill) ?
2 x LFB: Mbegu / Taylor(5+1 Mill) ?
Total 25 Mill – 12.5 from sales = 12.5 outgoings from savings
Davies
Jul 5, 2011 at 3:16 PM
Comment #32It’s apples and oranges with Taylor and Willo. Taylor’s better going forward, but he makes a lot of mistakes in the area, and he’s pretty well known for handling and doing a bit of diving. His positional awareness is, I have to say, every bit as bad as Willo’s. Willo does give away some silly free kicks, but he’s yet to cost us goals in the way that Taylor does when he’s a regular in the side. He can leap like a salmon as well, and he wins a lot more in the air. They’re both good options, but I see Taylor as being an impact sub for games when we’re trailing. He loves to get into the other team’s area and seems to have grown a knack for pinching goals. I’m glad we have both of them, but I’d be very worried if anything happened to Colo.
tequilamag
Jul 5, 2011 at 3:58 PM
Comment #33Mo if u honestly think anyone would pay us a mill each for lovenkrands and Perch then u truly are an optimist, but to think anyone would take Smith even on a free at 60k a week is delusional
max
Jul 5, 2011 at 5:17 PM
Comment #34i’m still hoping that taylor will be our next captain..
ronjohno
Jul 5, 2011 at 9:48 PM
Comment #35Cannot understand how anybody can rate him. Like someone said before did the Arsenal game at home not show how useless he is. Positional sense is zilch.
Like Ameobi he is 6 foot plus and jumps 5 foot nine.