Mike Williamson is about two weeks away from his return to full training at Newcastle.
Mike Williamson – back in two weeks
Alan Pardew is facing up to a mini injury crisis at Newcastle with Steven Taylor out for the season and Fab Coloccini missing the next game at Norwich City this Saturday.
Who will start alongside James Perch in the middle of defense on Saturday we have no idea, so short of players are Newcastle in central defense right now.
But Alan will now try to speed up the return of Mike Williamson, but of course you cannot overdo or else the lad will have a relapse.
But once Mike is able to play again, we can look to him playing in the Reserves and having some pre-arranged practice games behind closed doors to get fully match fit.
Alan Pardew talked about the 27 year-old Stoke-born central defender today:
“Mike Williamson’s back around the squad,” “He’s going to need a lot of work on the training ground to get himself up to speed, but we might have to accelerate that.”
“He’s not that close – he’s definitely not playing at Norwich, or maybe the one after that against Swansea City on December 17.” “We’re going to have to see if we can speed him up a bit.”
Pardew had praise for Perch, who came on for Coloccini in the first half of the Chelsea loss, the first home loss since Everton’s visit to St James’s Park in early March.
James Perch came on for Colo in the first half and did quite well, and Pardew is giving the lad praise for his performance, as Alan no doubt tries to pump up James’ confidence ready for the vital games ahead.
James Perch – huge opportunity for the 26 year-old
Alan gave Perch credit for his performance:
“James came into a really intense game, and he looked a little bit nervous when he came on to the pitch,”
“After that, he grew in stature. In the end, they took Didier Drogba off. He didn’t give him a sniff.”
“He’s going to be important next week – he’ll play. He’ll take that confidence into the game.”
Of course the positive way to think of Perch’s situation is that he now has a great opportunity to prove he deserves to be at a club like Newcastle United.
Certainly Danny Guthrie has come in for the injured Cheick Tiote and played great over these last six games, and we have to hope James Perch will do exactly the same thing in the weeks ahead.
That’s what we’re hoping for, and we want to support the former Nottingham Forest player in his efforts to do just that.
There would be nobody more delighted than us if James comes through with flying colors in the games ahead.
Howay The Lads!!
Comments welcome.
65 comments so far
Dude
Dec 5, 2011 at 1:25 PM
Comment #1i think santon can do a job. looks a very accomplished defender. hopefully colo back for swansea. scary though that ryan taylor looks hopelessly out of form. however, what about ferguson ? and where is vuckic ? he’s disappeared again. i also rate kadar, but maybe its an attitude thing ?
Benry
Dec 5, 2011 at 1:38 PM
Comment #2The really disappointing thing about Raylor is that he just wouldn’t learn. Sturridge had an open field for first 20mins and still Raylor would not hold his position and pin him down, even after Pardew told both full backs to hang back. I know footballers aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed but come on, he knows Sturridge outpaces him.
Another worrying thing is that Pards seems to have his favourites, which is understandable in some respects given the solid start. But why Loven and Perch are ahead of Ben Arfa and Santon I cannot understand.
PHOENIXNIGHTS
Dec 5, 2011 at 1:39 PM
Comment #3Dude – Raylor was totally isolated on Saturday (Jonas was missed terribly) as cover. We have what we have and we must get on with it. The manager gets paid to make his decisions and next weeks Centre Back pairing is a huge decision. Santon and Perch will have to do. Please do not rush Williamson back as we can ill afford Mike to have a setback.
Keep the Faith
boater
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Comment #4Benry – we are all anxious to see Arfa do well, but I’ve read a few posts from you now and you seem unable to accept that he didn’t look up to pace on Saturday. Statistically we were much better in the second half after he went off – more shots on goal and matching Chelsea’s possession of the ball , and if you think Lovenkrands offered little protection to Raylor – Lord knows how exposed he would have been with Arfa conceding possession every other time he received the ball.
alext109
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:05 PM
Comment #5Personally I would play Kadar, he has played well when called upon and with him being out of contract in the summer this is the perfect opportunity to show Pardew what he can do and also live up to the hype that he received when we first signed him.
@Dude in relation to his attitude, I saw a comment on here a while back that he gets nervous before playing in front of big crowds and is sick. Whether there is any truth in that I don’t know.
boater
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:07 PM
Comment #6Defensive worries aside, I would urge Pardew to give Arfa a run out on the right wing – 1) Ba seems to benefit from a deep lying partner – Shola just getting the nod over Best for me 2) Obertan could make more impact in the final third – still lacking decision making.
Krul
Simmo/Raylor/Perch/Santon
Arfa/Cabaye/Guthrie/Jonas
Ba/Shola
planb
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:17 PM
Comment #7Saturday proved without doubt NUFC have to many average players Chelsea looked as if they could score at will the likes of Lovenkrands,raylor,simpson and obertan just arent good enough Pardew needs to put pressure on Ashely for some significant investment in the squad or its going to be a long winter.
zaktoon_swede
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:21 PM
Comment #8krul
—Simmo—Perch——–Santon—Raylor—
————Cabaye——-Guthrie– ————
Obertan———————————–Jonas
——————Ben Arfa———————–
——————–Ba—————————
i really think we can get a result with this team. key is to put pressure on the their wingers to prevent crosses coming in. jonas and obertan need to be on top of their game though. thoughts?
Dyer8
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:24 PM
Comment #9Krul
Simmo..Perch..Kadar..Raylor
Obertan..Cabaye..Tiote..Jonas
HBA
Ba
martoon
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:34 PM
Comment #10Planb we have got some good players – just not quite as good as the top 4 or 5 teams – which we already knew. Realistically our aim has to be the best of the rest i.e 6th or 7th in the league and then try and progress from there and make inroads into the top 5. Which is a possibility when the UEFA financial constraints start to bite.
stuart no9
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:34 PM
Comment #11did i read that right what pards said? ” they took drogba off coz perch didnt give him a sniff”?
toonLYF
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:51 PM
Comment #12think we can almost guarantee seeing Santon in action this weekend, which is good, i think Pardew will go for
santon – simmo – perch – raylor
as that prevents switching things up too much, alternatively santon could be placed in the centre and simmo could remain in rb, but i think santon should be rb as he has the bigger threat going forward and also simmo is more used to playing in the english game, i think santon would be too weak atm to play as a centre back against a fairly physical norwich side at home
despite the chelsea game, i’m still in pretty good spirit, we’re sitting in 6th (maybe 7th after tonight) with a nice amount of points racked up, our team has showed they can really play and possess the quality to boss games, few key signing in jan and we’re good to have a hell of a go at it second half of the season
good times at the toon still lads, cheer up HWTL!
dmac
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:56 PM
Comment #13I tell you what we need cb’s and chelsea have just agreed to transfer list Alex. He is a rock i would take him if we could get him to accept our wage restrictions. I think he should feel hard done by not playing all the time. Id also have bassong back.
davybtoon
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:57 PM
Comment #14As usual ppl on here going way over the top with the doom mongering
jayphoto
Dec 5, 2011 at 2:57 PM
Comment #15I’d play Santon central! He’s 6″2 and has played central defense for both Italy u21s and Inter Milan! Simpson is 5″8 and has never played central defense!
davybtoon
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:00 PM
Comment #16Toonylf I think u hav the defence spot on there with kadar on the bench that what I think pards will go with, although I would go
Simmo perch kadar santon
Rtaylor has done well but he’s now getting to exposed at left back even with jonas playing
davybtoon
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Comment #17Some ppl r unreal on here for weeks now saying santon is to light weight n needs time to settle in n now u wanna throw him in at cb, we hav perfectly good cb in kadar infact he’s the best person for the job yet everyone ignoring him
the_besty_show
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:07 PM
Comment #18Krul
Simpson/ Santon/ Perch Taylor
Santon Simpson
Obertan Cabaye Tiote/Guthrie Jonas
Ben Arfa
Ba
davybtoon
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Comment #19Cud do with tiote back to protect the back 4 like am still confident for the next 4 games, think we shud call tavernier back n play him cb
roshan MAGPIE
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:10 PM
Comment #20i think we should play RAYLOR in center back he can do the job there and he will have support of GUTHRE and CABAYE and play SANTON on left back
davybtoon
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:19 PM
Comment #21On a brighter note there’s a chance sunderland could b bottom of the league by Sunday afternoon oh happy days
AP's Black & White Army
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:32 PM
Comment #22I’m at a loss as to how anyone can put Rylor in at LB, he’s hopeless.
Ferguson is a much, much better option.
GeordieToon89
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:33 PM
Comment #23Gutted for Taylor and if wer allowed an emergency loan which we wont be we should get Alex til jan hes trainin with the reserves and wants away also isnt wanted plus hes friggin brilliant such a left foot aswell
the_besty_show
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:35 PM
Comment #24raylor and jonas have good partnership on the left only really last three games where hes struggled back to normal teams now so id give him another chance plus wve just lost 2 of our back four thats played 14 games in a row doubt hes goin to drop any more
the_besty_show
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:36 PM
Comment #25@geordietoon89 hed be a great signing but i think we have no chance of matching his wages. Just know everyone will be saying why arent we getting anelka and alex in january then get angry at the board again when they go abroad
Dannyo
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:40 PM
Comment #26Pardew will try to accelerate MWs comeback…
What’s he going to do? Put him in a time machine?
Rotonda heights
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:56 PM
Comment #27thhey took drogba off (after he left perch for dead for the goal) because they have valencia this week,
soundoid
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:58 PM
Comment #28Think he’s going to put the Rocky iv sound track on and get fit for next week in montage.
GeordieGerman
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:58 PM
Comment #29Dannyo, a time machine would be no good. Physics say he’d land a few weeks ahead of us. So not much good.
Anyway to the serious business. I’ve told Al to go.
Raylor—Simpson—Perch—-Santon.
Al said, he don’t give a sh*t about my advise. 🙂
Rotonda heights
Dec 5, 2011 at 3:59 PM
Comment #30agree
how raylor keep getting the left back gig over santon, fergie, kadar etc is beyond me, but Pardew won’t do anything. if he was a horse they’d shoot him he’s been so cruelly exposed.
Dannyo
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:01 PM
Comment #31Soundoid
Oh yes, he needs the rocky song, a montage, and in 3 weeks time he’ll be the best defender in the world.
Good plan 🙂
mickg108
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:14 PM
Comment #32Cockney Mafia Conspiracy..QPR & Chelsea,wrong Tactics..Why did Pards start with Lovenkraps,instead of Santon for Guti ??,,Why didn’t Pards play Santon after seeing Raylor out paced & placed & Lovenkraps not covering ??.
Stinks after the QPR embarrasment..
Dude
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:26 PM
Comment #33I think we need to sit in and catc them on the counter. with luck it’ll be something like: krul; simpson, santon, perch, raylor; tiote; cabaye; jonas, obertan, hba; ba. not bad going fwd but needs tiote to be there and play the mr t role in front of perch and santon.
Thump
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:29 PM
Comment #34Hang on, I’ve just realised that I’m on a free and play in defence.
Don’t worry lads, I’m here to save the season.
LGFUAD21
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:33 PM
Comment #35OK raylor has struggled past few games up against world beaters but people are being too harsh on the lad. Especially because at times he has done great there.
Put him at CB i reckon. Santon to be LB where he has played before.
TheMags
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:48 PM
Comment #36Krul
Raylor perch tiote simmo
Gutii cabaye guthrie obertooon
BenyBoy
Ba
shearer4pm
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:49 PM
Comment #37just seen somwhere that emmanual frimpong is looking to go out on loan in january, id jump for him, good cover for tiote, gona need another centre back too, ridgewell, mabye bassong on loan but he’s gone downhill since he left, mabye distin from everton,short term solution, no one sells anybody good in january, apart from us haa
Kc-Toon
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:52 PM
Comment #38@LGFUAD21
That comment made me laugh , just thinking about the idea of a partnership of Raylor and Perch. Raylors all about technique, he cant win a header, stands off his man, and isnt exactly the strongest player, but seen as tho he can whack in a 30 yard freekick or volley, throw him in at CB haha
Dannyo
Dec 5, 2011 at 4:59 PM
Comment #39Lgfaud
I think u’re dead wrong there mate.
1. If u want to challenge for a european spot, you need players who’s atleast somewhat able to handle world beaters.
2. Rodagella and SWP are not world beaters.
3. They rarely beat hin using skill, they ran past him cause he positions himself dead wrong, he’s so high up he’s holding hands with the lw.
That all said, i’ve got to admit that Simmo has proved me wrong. I thought Raylor would be the better RB, and was pretty adamant about that. But Simmo knowsq how to position himself, i can’t remember, honestly, when someone ran past him like they do Raylor.
Simmo needs to close down better, and quicker, but the lad knows his place, and knows it well. Raylor doesn’t.
soundoid
Dec 5, 2011 at 5:05 PM
Comment #40Simmo Santon, Perch, Raylor
Tiote
Obertan,Cabaye,jonas
Best, Ba