Newcastle right back Danny Simpson has done some of the interview duties on this Friday morning, when Newcastle find themselves 5th top of the Premier League.
Danny Simpson fights for the ball with Junior Hoilett
If somebody had told us last summer, that on 3rd February Newcastle would have been 5th top of the Premier League, we would have asked what they had been smoking.
But 5th top we are and with Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool all finding things a bit tough this season, Newcastle have a chance to hang in there and finish high up in the league table.
And with a successful transfer season closing – successful because we got Papiss Cisse in and lost none of our top players – the next step is for Newcastle to sign up some of the players whose contracts run out over the next eighteen months, and Danny Simpson is one of them.
This is what Simpson said today about some of our fringe players on Wednesday night, who don’t get regular games on Tyneside:
“I thought Gabby was excellent when he came on and Perchy was brilliant. That is what we’re all about,”
“We only found out at lunchtime that Yohan wasn’t going to play but it shows the character of the team that we battled through it and it shows the character of the individual that they played so well.”
“Gabby and James probably haven’t got the minutes that they’d like this season but they’ve kept their heads down, they’ve worked away on the training ground and when their chance comes they have taken it.”
“The squad believes in each other, we trust that if anyone goes down or gets injured the next man to come in will be able to do a really good job.”
“Gabby is new to the club so the goal was a major boost for him. It will take time for us to see the best of him but he’ll be a top player for us – and James was brilliant again.”
“He just gives 100% wherever he plays. He was at center-back on Saturday and then he gets asked to play in midfield on Wednesday but it doesn’t faze him – he was weighing in with tackles, shots and headers all over the place.”
We’ve never had any doubts that James Perch was a top professional, but he’s now showing he can play a bit, and some of us may have to change our opinions on James, and it’s really great for him and shows his strong character and good temperament.
James can become a top squad player for Newcastle long term, much like Danny Guthrie and Ryan Taylor, and as we have seen over the last few weeks, these lads are very important to Newcastle, when they can come in and play well when the starters are missing.
Danny played his 100th time for Newcastle on Wednesday night, and made yet another dramatic goal line clearance, which was his third of the season.
The 25 year-old is a good player, but still has room to improve, which he seems to be doing again this season, so we’ll be happy when we sign this lad up to a new contract on Tyneside.
But we expect 20 year-old James Tavernier in the summer to start pushing hard for the right back position at Newcastle, when he returns from his loan spell at MK Dons, which is his fourth loan spell in the last year.
And we still wouldn’t be surprised if Newcastle sign a left-footed left-back in the summer – like Erik Pieters of PSV Eindhoven for example – and Davide Santon could move over to right back, but we certainly expect increased competition for places next season.
Comments welcome.
19 comments so far
gaz 44
Feb 3, 2012 at 9:55 AM
Comment #1denied
gaz 44
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:01 AM
Comment #2i think simmo is a great player t have round n hate the fact some netters have nothing.better to do than slag him off
Eastander
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:05 AM
Comment #3Simmo tries hard and puts a lot of effort in but I would say he’s an average CB, I think he’s decent but if we are going to get into Europe I think we could perhaps do with a better one…
The only thing that makes me think twice about this is we would have probably conceded about 7more goals this season if he hadnt conveniently put himself on the line
Eastander
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Comment #4RB*
drongo
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Comment #5best moment of Wednesdays game for me was the other players reaction to Obertan’s goal.
Nice to see that – he’s obvioulsy well liked.
martoon
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Comment #6I’ve said this before but I think people are reading too much into the contact negotiations. They are complex legal documents and probably passed back and forward between legal teams with suggested ammendments to be approved and implemented etc. which probably all takes time. From what he has said it sounds like the big things like wages have already been agreed it it just a matter of dotting i’s and crossing t’s.
m1c4a3lg
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:16 AM
Comment #7Agreed drongo, was a good moment for the lad especially as it was in front of us lot in the corner.
ballerfan2
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:23 AM
Comment #8drongo – it could be that the players do read these blogs and react to the crass criticism that some “fans?” post. Some of the flack that has been aimed at Obertan has been way over the top and maybe the players were really delighted for the lad. Obertan hasn’t been the only one. I have been embarrassed to be a toon fan by many comments made about Simmo, Perch, Guthrie and Raylor over the last 18 months or so.
Premiership Manager
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Comment #9To many fans don’t realise how long it takes for young players to settle in, develop and then reach their full potential.
Steven Taylor is a classic example as he showed massive potential when he was thrown into the first team as a teenager. He made quite a few mistakes, was slated by some of the fans but wore his heart on his sleeve and carried on regardless.
Too many people forget we can’t go out and buy established players at over inflated prices therefore we need to buy young players with potential and develop them from within. Perch, Santon, Simpson, Obertan, Guthrie, Gosling and many others come into this category and need the fans behind them.
Simpson for me has played very well this season and what people need to realise is that defenders don’t mature until they are 26-28 which is why Steve Taylor has come into his own this season.
We have a very strong squad however we need to be positive and offer encouragement rather than booing players like Obertan when things aren’t going well.
ashwin say's
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Comment #10@martoon-you stil believe pardew’s blah blah!! Strange mate
stk85
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:29 AM
Comment #11just gopt this reply from emailing the fa about banning Cabaye, still what a bunch of absolute *****:
Thank you for contacting The Football Association.
The FA only act retrospectively in off the ball ‘not seen’ scenarios, where the referee would have been unable to see a particular incident. Where an official has seen a coming together of players, regardless of the outcome, no retrospective action can be taken in accordance with FIFA guidance.
In relation to your comments about the Yohan Cabaye decision, the referee confirmed that he did not see the incident at the time, and that had he witnessed it, a red card would have been issued to the player.
Thank you again for your email and we will ensure your views on this are represented, although you will understand that an Independent Commission has already made a decision on the matter. The FA itself does not have any influence over the outcome. Commissions usually consist of three members including an ex-player or coach and all panel members are independently representational. We understand that the game in itself evokes differing views and take on board that in this instance, you are in disagreement with the decision taken by the referee and indeed the subsequent panel.
Kind regards
Alex Burkwood
blew
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:30 AM
Comment #125th top of the PL, £15M investment in a youth system after a 6 – 0 hammering by Man U. Which convinced Mr Ashley our up and coming stars were not so good and a clear out to take place. Everything is changing for the better and I think Mr Ashley deserves some praise for his committment and financial backing.
oo aa demba ba
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:33 AM
Comment #13Simpson isn’t good enough, end of. As a championship club and then a re-established premier league club yes, but not if we are looking to break into the european spots. Yes he has made a few good goal line clearances which have saved us points, but he also contributes to a lot of the goals we concede, with his infuriating habit of backing off the winger until they are in our box where they can easily pick a pass or shoot. Going forward he offers very little as well, he lacks the quality or pace to take his man on which results in the defender standing him up, simpson trying to get a cross away and the defender simply stuicking a leg out to block it. And when he does get a cross in it is usually average at best.If we are to progress and make our right side dangerous then we need an attacking full back. Cissokho for the left and Santon switched to the right would be a fantastic pair of attacking full backs
Sheikh MagToon
Feb 3, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Comment #14Does anyone know if Tavernier is out of contract in June. If so, we’ll not see him again. My guess is Santon at right back next season and new left back. Simpson must want to leave otherwise he’d have signed already.
martoon
Feb 3, 2012 at 11:23 AM
Comment #15ashwin say’s @10 – what??? nothing to do with Pardew – I am simply saying that a footballer’s contract is a complicated legal document that is scrutinised by both side’s legal teams and it all takes time.
Sav
Feb 3, 2012 at 11:59 AM
Comment #16Santon goes awol while Simmo uses good instincts to block 7 goalbound shots and you are complaining?? But Santon looks cool and is/was ‘the new Maldini’. Big deal. He wants to stop shuffling back from fruitless forays upfield before he gets the Sav Award for committed defending.
jimmymagpie
Feb 3, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Comment #17If the forecasters are spot on with the amount and timing of the snowfall tomorrow, we could be facing a serious doubt about Sunday’s game.
stripes1009
Feb 3, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Comment #18Blew @12,
Really agree with you and your comments regarding Mike ashley……It was also interesting to hear from our new number 9 that a deal had been agreed last year until his team renegaded on it. Mike Ashley and Derick Llambias took so much ‘flak’ from the ‘neggars’ over not signing a striker and now the truth has come out, it wasn’t for the lack of trying.. Also, MA and DL took so much ‘flak’ when they dismissed Chris Houghton but as it turns out, it was the right decision and it’s nice to see Chris doing really well at Brum!. We have a good chairman/owner, long may it stay this way.
jakesome
Feb 3, 2012 at 1:22 PM
Comment #19TEAM for sunday
—————who else————–
simmo——willo—-collo—–santon
benny—guthrie—abeid—–jonas
———-ba——-loverman———
cisse to come on for loven at half time
and obertan to come on for the under performing winger either benny or jonas after 70 mins