Argentine defender Fabricio Coloccini will return to training this morning, after pulling his groin in the last game at Eastlands, when he had to be replaced by Sol Campbell in the first half of that game.
Fab Coloccini – back in training today
And the good news is that now he will be available to face Wigan in what is turning out to be a key game for the Magpies, in an attempt to stop a two game losing streak at home.
However, against Manchester City, Sol Campbell came in and played an excellent game at the back for Newcastle, so Chris Hughton will have a selection poser on which two center-backs to start on Saturday.
Mike Williamson has so far played every PL game this season, and has also been in great form for the Magpies.
Decisions, decisions.
This is what Chris Hughton said today about the Argentine stalwart, and the increasing competition for places in central defense:
“Fabricio will train today and will be back in contention for Wigan providing there are no further problems. That is a big positive for us,” “But, of course, there is a decision for me to make there. Sol came in and did well and Mike Williamson has been excellent too.”
“Sol is just a good player, so it doesn’t surprise me he’s come in and looked good. Part of the reason why we brought him in was because of that quality and experience that he showed last weekend.” “We were very aware of that when we brought him in. He’s a proven player and we knew that he would offer us that competition.”
There’s nothing wrong at all with having good quality players on the bench, and Newcastle will have that for most of the rest of the season with Danny Simpson, Danny Guthrie and Steven Taylor soon to be back playing again, after recovering from injury.
It’s going to be a difficult task for some Newcastle players to even make the bench in future games, once all our injured players return.
And we’ll not even mention new signing Dan Gosling, who is due back from his ACL knee injury in January.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
austoon
Oct 11, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Comment #1I dunno if Campbell has the stamina to last a whole game. Sure he’s played 90mins for the Reserve squad, but with the pace of the EPL, wouldn’t risk wasting a sub option to get him off if he’s tired.
But then again CH doesn’t even use all 3 of his subs some of the time, like the game against Everton.
austoon
Oct 11, 2010 at 1:00 PM
Comment #2Btw this is off topic but does anyone know why we got rid of James Troisi?
munch27
Oct 11, 2010 at 1:02 PM
Comment #3I think the easiest way too sort it out is play colo @ RB as sure as sh!t insomnia will be out to get @ us and i’m afraid he will skin perch at every opportunity.
Indian Magpie
Oct 11, 2010 at 1:14 PM
Comment #4can also go with 3 – 5 – 2, with caroll and lo’krands up front
Brutooon
Oct 11, 2010 at 1:18 PM
Comment #5simple:
drop perch, collocini can play there.
Brutooon
Oct 11, 2010 at 1:24 PM
Comment #6James Troisi move to a turkish club
Davies
Oct 11, 2010 at 1:31 PM
Comment #7Ha! I’d forgotten all about Troisi.
Shot Bru
Oct 11, 2010 at 2:58 PM
Comment #8We have to beat Wigan on saturday otherwise we’re in for a long hard season. Our start has been pretty poor considering the teams we have played and i would stick with Campbell at CB over Coloccini. Colo is too soft, slow and is p*ss poor in the air. Campbell is a much better option especially when we are battling against fellow relegation candidates. In fact i would go as far to say that Colo didn’t fancy playing in the Man City game and faked a groin strain…strange that he’s back so quick!
Bucks mag
Oct 11, 2010 at 3:48 PM
Comment #9Shot Bru – unless you’re joking I can’t believe the amount of stick you’re giving Colo – he has looked absolute class since we came back up. Jones certainly didn’t win too much in the air against him.
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it; Willo and Colo to start for me.
Marty-Toon
Oct 11, 2010 at 4:33 PM
Comment #10BRUTOON,i agree with ya there mate.
Collo can play right back and i bet he would be class there.
Thus leaving a nicely balanced and strong backline of Collo,Willo,Sol and Jose.
Try and get through that eh.
And then Danny S is soon back too
Howay the lads
chuck
Oct 11, 2010 at 5:09 PM
Comment #11Simple ! play Campbell & Colo., why ?
Because Williamson is nowhere near as good as either, if you think otherwise, just watch his distribution of the ball, gives it away as much as he finds a team-mate.
Campbell is a solid pro., who probably has another good season left, it would certainly help his fellow defenders as he knows how to marshal the defense.
Either that or give Colo. an additional week, we all know how it takes time for groin injuries to heal and to aggravate it would simply cost more time out.
With both S. Taylor and Simpson coming back, Hughton will be presented with decisions, not a bad thing in a league where injuries are commonplace .
Just not that happy with the quality at RB, wondering how S.Taylor would do in the role, we know he can defend, but does he have the pace to bring the ball upfield or keep up with speedy left wingers, interesting to find out ?
Brutooon
Oct 12, 2010 at 1:46 AM
Comment #12Collocini is actually good when he play right back, remember his shot against man city
playing at right back might gave him chance to go forwards, maybe banging 10-15 goals for the season (i m exaggerating a bit hahaha)