Newcastle have a number of players vying for the left back spot, including Paul Dummett, Massadio Haidara and the injured Davide Santon, but we don’t really have an established right back pushing the newly arrived Dutch International Daryl Janmaat, who is suspended for the game tomorrow night.
Massadio Haidara – could start tomorrow night
Unfortunately Janmaat picked up his fifth booking of the season at Arsenal on Saturday and misses this game tomorrow night, although he will be back for the Sunderland game on Sunday.
If he had been fit then Ryan Taylor could have come in at right back, but at the moment it seems the manager is looking at alternatives like Vurnon Anita, Steven Taylor or young Remie Streete for tomorrow night.
In pre-season we were impressed the way 19 year-old Slovakian Lubomir Satka played at right back, and he looked very steady and comfortable in that position.
Anita can play in either full-back position, which he did while at Ajax, but Alan Pardew has been reticent to play him at full-back at Newcastle.
Steven Taylor made his debut for Newcastle ten years ago at right-back, but hasn’t played there very much since then – and we suppose we could even see a back three at White Hart Lane, of Taylor, Coloccini and Williamson.
Paul Dummett could also switch over to right back and the impressive Massadio Haidara could do the job at left back.
This is what Alan Pardew has said about Janmaat today:
“He was terrific – and even at the end he’s trying to get in the box and make something happen.” “He’ll be a big miss, but we’ve got some good players to come in.”
Since Pardew never seems to play Anita in the full back position, there’s at least a couple of things the manager can do.
He may try a back three for tomorrow night, or else it seems switching Paul Dummett over to right back and bringing in Haidara could make up a decent back four.
And then the manager needs to decide whether to keep Mike Williamson alongside Colo – or bring Steven Taylor back into the side, after the local lad served his one match ban for being sent off against Chelsea.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
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2 comments so far
firebug666
Dec 16, 2014 at 8:59 AM
Comment #1Repost just to keep up.
Personally I don’t think they ever intended to bring anyone in this window, They think that what we have is enough, in simple terms they are wrong.
Willo, Goofy, Tiote, and some of the un-used fringe players should be moved on and replaced if we are going to compete in this league. But hey ho, the powers that be see pounds in the bank as the only important thing.
Our club motto should be.. “Make do and Mend”.
faustino10
Dec 16, 2014 at 9:58 AM
Comment #2I know Dummit is a much better centre back then full back but I would pick him for right back instead of Anita for tomorrow nights game. Two reasons, firstly Anita hasn’t played much and might be off the pace and secondly and more obviously- Anita will be a weakness due to his height that the likes of Adebayor and Kane will look to expose. Anita might offer more going forward but I think away from home at least from the start I would go for the most solid back 4 over attacking fullbacks. Also Steven Taylor in for Willo.
Massive massive game. It will be such a boost if we can continue this run in the cup.
On a separate note – Any news on Abeid. I thought he only had a slight injury? Hope he comes back soon as he was in fantastic form.