Vurnon Anita had a good unheralded game in Moscow on Thursday night, and we still think this lad will become a big player at the club, although he has work cut out to get a starting place in front of Cheick Tiote at the moment in the Newcastle first team.
Vurnon Anita – Mapou already a top player
But Vurnon in another excellent technical player and he is compact and steady in everything he does, and today he has come out and joined a chorus of players who have hailed the great performance of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in Moscow on Thursday night.
Mapou is our Man of the Match for Thursday with 36% of the vote, followed by his center-back partner James Perch with 24% and new boy Haidara with 14%, and James Perch has already talked about what a fabulous player Mapou is for Newcastle
And of course Mapou’s performance in the Ukraine a few weeks back was just as good as last Thursday night, so he is quickly producing the goods for Newcastle, especially in the European games.
Here’s what 5 times capped Dutch International Anita had to say about one of our top five Frenchmen, who arrived in January to significantly bolster the Newcastle side:
“Mapou is a top player.” “He had an excellent game in Moscow, as did the whole of the defense and the keeper.” “He is quick and he helped to stop Anzhi whenever they looked to try to build.”
“He took everything in his stride, and to mark top players out of a game takes some doing.” “I can’t remember them having many chances and we had a few of our own, so it was a good display.”
Steven Taylor and Yanga-Mbiwa will likely start tomorrow against Stoke City, and these two well be the central defense pairing for next season if Coloccini leaves the club in the summer to return to Argentina to be with his family.
Colo is out there now, but is expected back next week, but when he will recover from his back injury – he’s broken two bones – is anybody’s guess and it could even be another six weeks.
And as long as Steven and Mapou stay fit we should be fine in central defense.
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7 comments so far
Munster Mag
Mar 9, 2013 at 10:26 AM
Comment #1Really impressed with Mapou and Haidara the other day. Remember chaps, I rarely get it wrong when it comes to players, 🙂 and Haidara will be taking over from Santon soon, unless Pardew wants wing backs big time. And even at that, Santon is limited in terms of delivery, and also narrows the pitch.
jamesnufc86
Mar 9, 2013 at 10:31 AM
Comment #2There is no doubt that Mapou Is class. He out powered Troure the whole game . We now need to debate who owns the “beast” tag at Newcastle ? Who would win in a scrap out of Tiote , Sissoko and Mbwia ? It’s a blood bath , but I’d say Sissoko , just , he’d be limping away
Munster Mag
Mar 9, 2013 at 10:37 AM
Comment #3Sissoko will not be beasted!! Although Taylor is a big unit too 🙂
Christoon
Mar 9, 2013 at 10:39 AM
Comment #4I would pick Anita over cheik. He’s seemed more a liability this season. Getting he ball and turning several times on the spot before losing the ball. Anita’s been far more decisive with the ball
jamesnufc86
Mar 9, 2013 at 10:41 AM
Comment #5Yea but Taylor would be a bit sloppy , he seems to have sorted his double chin recently , but then again Carroll smashed him , so he can’t be considered ! Strong , but not in the “beast” category !
pethmag
Mar 9, 2013 at 11:36 AM
Comment #6Anita would be in ahead of tiote for me . Tiote has never been at the races this season . Forever giving the pall away and constantly giving freekicks . Were as anita is much better on the ball and can pass . Tiote hasnt had anyone to push him and put him under pressure for his place.
Jamiemac
Mar 9, 2013 at 11:53 AM
Comment #7Don’t rule out Shola from this fight!