James Perch has already played 33 times for Newcastle this season, and has also scored his first goal for the club, and after a very tough first year at Newcastle, James has seemed to blossom under manager Alan Pardew.
James Perch – Perchinho – has come good at Newcastle
Last season he made 28 appearances for the side, and a large portion of those appearances were in the second half of the season, when he really started to come through with some solid performances for the Magpies.
And this season he has continued to be a key player for the side, and because of his versatility he has been used a lot by the manager and he’s played at full back, center-back and in defensive midfield – and he can do a solid job in all of those positions.
James reminds us a bit of Nobby Stiles in the England World Cup winning side – he’s not as good as other players technically, but his temperament, solidity and consistency adds a lot to the team.
This is what James Perch said today in an exclusive interview he gave to the Newcastle Journal:
“Things have changed a great deal for me since I’ve been here,” “I can’t really complain.” “I feel it has changed a bit for me. When I go out there now people aren’t groaning.” “I think before, if a supporter saw my name on the team-sheet they’d think ‘Oh no’.”
“They were doing that. I hope now it’s not the same reaction, or not as much anyway! I think that’s a fair reaction.” “I have to be honest with myself and say that people probably were saying that when I first came but now I hope they don’t.”
“It was what I always intended to do a year ago when I got my opportunity. There’s no better feeling than turning people’s opinions round. When I first came it was tough and the fans didn’t take to me, but that was because of my own performances, not through any fault of theirs.”
“It’s good to go out there and enjoy it now. When you enjoy it, it’s better and you do get a sense of achievement.” “I love the city, my family is settled up here now and I’ve been here two and a half and I’ve loved it.”
“Even when things weren’t going my way and I got some stick. I absolutely loved it from the start – Newcastle is such a nice place.” “It is the friendliness of everyone that gets me. I lived in Nottingham where it is a bit rougher.”
“There’s gangs and everyone has to be a bit careful, but there is a freedom about this place that I love. You can go anywhere and in some places it’s not like that as a footballer. “People make you feel welcome and whatever happens you’re part of it.”
Those are great words from the unassuming Perchinho – who has become something of a cult hero on Tyneside.
James signed on in the summer of 2010 on a four year contract, and that will run out in fifteen months time – and we think the 27 year-old former Nottingham Forest player has earned an extension to that contract.
We would expect James to get a new deal soon, before he starts his final year of his current contract – we think he deserves it.
And he’s not been a bad buy for around £1M either.
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127 comments so far
JackButler
Mar 25, 2013 at 3:44 PM
Comment #121Michael Owen wants to become an agent………..well there’ll be no one better at getting players money for nothing as he did it for most of his career
ajcrawfs
Mar 25, 2013 at 3:45 PM
Comment #122off topic but has anyone seen Cisse’s bird! Lovely Jubbly! on twitter as well
Ibizatoon - Back by popular demand
Mar 25, 2013 at 3:45 PM
Comment #123Spoof….Most people generalise when talking about football and I do feel that Tiote has somewhat fallen victim to that. You’re right, his disciplinary record has improved, but it doesn’t take a lot for it to seem like “Tiote is back to his old tricks”.
I’m not sure I think Tiote reads the game better than Perch but when each are at their best, for me Tiote is the better player.
All in all having the options is great and can only spur the other players on to improving aspects of their game. If Tiote can sort out a few key areas to his game he is some player to have in the team. I do agree with others mind that he is no longer the guaranteed starter he was, but that can soon change.
Bambams
Mar 25, 2013 at 3:50 PM
Comment #124I think it would be a good idea to have the winners of the Europa league to qualify for CL but cannot ever see the powers that are allowing it.
Off to the gym now Troy….. Hows the stretching rack coming along !
( For those thinking we are trying to cause aggro within our comments to each other, chill we know each other outside the blog )
JackButler
Mar 25, 2013 at 3:52 PM
Comment #125Reports suggest the Roman Abramovich has been detained in the US by the FBI, some are denying the reports but seems strange
SupaToonKid
Mar 25, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Comment #126Referring back to the Samuel Umtiti link, I noticed a couple people seemed concerned or were suggesting we would sell Santon as a result of such a transfer. Ed seemed to be touting Umtiti as a LB however this is not true. Umtiti is a CB primarily but has versatility to play LB too.
Carr is scouting us a CB as this is the main defensive are we require to strengthen as Coloccini is definitely leaving and I can see Williamson leaving too hence a purple CB e.g. Douglas is required as well as a back up/development player e.g. Umtiti.
Of course I am not suggesting this rules out a sale of Santon to AC Milan because I’m sure anything around £10M+ will see negotiations begin. I am suggesting however that Umtiti is a very notable purchase if we can get him in but with him so highly rated and at one of the more prestigious French sides it would hard to see him coming in at bellow £5M.
If a deal can be strook I will be very happy as we will be signing a very capable, young CB with bags of potential to be one of the best. I’d even be willing to suggest this lad has potential to be recognised on the same sort of level as Kurt Zouma etc.
RedMissionBells
Mar 26, 2013 at 1:27 AM
Comment #127Now that the great Queens Park Rangers’ sale is about to happen, who would you like to take from their team?
Looking at their squad list, I would be interested in:
M’Bia or Samba
Hoilette
Thoughts anyone ?