James Perch and Mike Williamson were monumental for Newcastle on Sunday against Liverpool.
Mike Williamson blocking Andy Carroll yesterday
With Coloccini out for a few games, a huge factor was how James Perch and Mike Williamson would play together in central defense against Liverpool, but they were both excellent, and as solid as a rock for the Magpies.
Mike was again good in the air, and he was so unlucky not to get his first goal ever for Newcastle, when his header beat Reina but hit the foot of the post.
And Perch made some great tackles, and he also put his body on the line a number of times to block shots, and he often looked a man inspired on Sunday, and it’s no wonder that Newcastle fans are starting to warm to this lad.
Fans like nothing better than a player who gives his all for the side, and James was easily our Man of the Match with 55% of the vote.
James has been little short of a revelation this year, and in at least three games he’s played this year, he’s come out as the Man of the Match – and that’s while he’s been playing in different positions too.
It seems that Perch enjoyed the game on Sunday, and he had this to say today on the Newcastle web-site:
“We enjoyed it, me and Willo. We’re good friends anyway off the pitch, which always helps,” said the man who has played all across Newcastle’s defence and midfield this term.”
“It was just good to play with him – he’s a great player – and to get the clean sheet.” “We’re mates, so we can talk to each other, have a laugh if there’s a time to do that in the game.”
“And we can shout at each other, knowing we don’t mean it and that it’s for the football and for the club.” “We then have a laugh after the game. That’s what it’s all about. “
“But we are all friends in the dressing room and there’s no-one who we don’t all get on with.”
It will certainly help that the two of them are good friends, but it seems that most of the squad seem to get on well with with each other this season, and it’s been a long time since the team spirit has been so good at Newcastle.
James and the players knew it was a massive game for Newcastle and a monumental win yesterday:
“It was brilliant – a massive game, because we knew that if we won it would put us 11 points clear of them. And that’s exactly what we did,” he said.
“The team really played well. It wasn’t any individual being outstanding, it was a whole team effort and we got the three points we fully deserved.
“We knew how good they were going to be going into the game, but we also know how good we can be and we had belief in ourselves. We did our homework on them and managed to conquer them.”
It was a massive result for Newcastle, and that’s now three wins on the trot, at the start of our final 10 games of the season, and that cannot be bad.
Colo is expected to miss the next game at Swansea on Friday, but if Perch shows the same form in that game – win, lose or draw – it’s almost a certainty that Colo will not be risked against Bolton next Monday at St. James’ Park.
One reason for that is our next game after Bolton is a full 12 days away, at home to Stoke, and the Newcastle captain will have time to fully recover from his hamstring problem.
And he can then be fully ready for the final 5 games of the season, starting against Stoke City on Saturday, 21st April.
But next up is Swansea in South Wales, and that’s all that matters now, and while that will be another tough game, Newcastle will be looking for the win, to make it four wins on the trot, for the first time this season.
It would be a great time to do that on Friday afternoon.
Howay The Lads!!
21 comments so far
Toon Tang
Apr 2, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Comment #1ill put me hands together for ashley after summer when we’ve retained our better players. lambias can suckle my oversized, ostrich egg, hand stitched, leather ballbags . heel never get a round of applause . he hast handled himself reet from the start
repost sorry
MagpiesFlyHigh
Apr 2, 2012 at 10:46 PM
Comment #2Two squad players who have really raised their game and put in the graft. I do hope Willo leaves out the tugging…
MagpiesFlyHigh
Apr 2, 2012 at 10:47 PM
Comment #3Toon tang
Now that is a pretty balanced, carefully considered and well though out response. 🙂
Toon Tang
Apr 2, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Comment #4if massive offers come in though i will obviously understand . we really need to keep the backbone of the team weve got now though and add around it
Toon Tang
Apr 2, 2012 at 10:49 PM
Comment #5MFH haha aye sorry fella
WWJBD
Apr 2, 2012 at 10:54 PM
Comment #6Lee Ryder ? @lee_ryder
Gaz Nev: “Danny Simpson has been a revelation this season”
What does Gary Neville know about being a RB eh?
soundoid
Apr 2, 2012 at 10:55 PM
Comment #7http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/drivetime/120402/graham-carr-cabaye-tiote-ben-arfa-and-cisse-168647
Loads of stuff about us on talksport this is the pick of the bunch what a great man.
dirtymackems
Apr 2, 2012 at 10:59 PM
Comment #8Herd a rumour that chelsea will pay 15 mil +essian for Mr T and psg’s after two premier league strikers….. According to papers and news on the net they are demba ba and carlos tevez…. Your thoughts??
soundoid
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:08 PM
Comment #9Interesting that Graham carr was scouting Tiote and Cisse for man city.
pizzicatochan
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Comment #10Do we still need Pieters and Douglas next year?
And who else?
Tsunki
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Comment #11interesting question re whether we could go any further with the same squad next year – if it came down to financial necessities, possibly. We are a handful of games away from a top 4/5/6 finish and we have had our share of injuries and bad form, experimental formations and of course the ACoN. It could be argued that players like Leon Best could find our new style one he could step into with little problem. Obertan may yet do a Perchinho and rise to his game. In truth we are a brace or thrice from sustaining this kind of form for seasons to come, but it’s who moves out I fear. Tiote would be missed, HBA also now I just can’t imagine him not starting. Cabaye may have dipped of late but if he went I’d be sorry. Let’s hoe this core of players have more vision than Enrique, less greed than Nolan and Barton and more pride than Carroll
IrishToon009
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:36 PM
Comment #123 MoM in 3 different positions, thats impressive and so uselful to have in the squad! Hope they have another two good games, keep confidence and momentum high! HWTL
RonVanDam
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:37 PM
Comment #13Hey Ed the caption for the picture is incorrect. Mike’s Jersey still says Northern Rock and that game was at night.
Yesterdays game was in the afternoon and our shirt sponsor has changed since the first robbin
pizzicatochan
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:39 PM
Comment #14http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1043864/kenny-dalglish-issues-warning-for-frustrated-andy-carroll?cc=5901
UpTheRoad
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:41 PM
Comment #15In the beginning was the Perch, the Perch was with God and the perch was God. In the old testament, Cisse recieved messages from God telling him to lead the geordies into the promised land, Europe. Demba Ba was sent before Jesus to prepare the way. Perchinho sent his son, Hatem to deliver miracles unto thee St James Park faithful. He then annointed Cheick of Tiote to be the head of his church and a man who was a sinner to write letters to other poor churches such as Anfield. That man was Coloccini. Go now and spread the word.
toonfin
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:42 PM
Comment #16Have i missed it or has anything been mentioned as to why obertan hasnt been in the squad lately?
Toon Tang
Apr 2, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Comment #17UpTheRoad – hallelujah brethren
Robby Bobson
Apr 3, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Comment #18WWJBD
He named his defence of the season on SSN and Simpson was in his top 3 right backs…but went for Walker.
He had Colo alongside Kompany in the middle as well.
Robby Bobson
Apr 3, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Comment #19Not SSN, Monday night football.
Cool Hand Luke
Apr 3, 2012 at 12:03 AM
Comment #20Of the three recent games he has featured in, Perch has got 2 MOTM from this blog. Hes absolutely on fire!
Tsunki
Apr 3, 2012 at 12:10 AM
Comment #21toonfin – It is starting to look like Obertan was a fill in with hopefulness attached while HBA got up to speed.