Our Man of the Match last night – Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – has been interviewed on FIFA.com, and he says some very good things about Newcastle, and it was Yohan Cabaye who told him many good things about Newcastle (that’s a surprise , and that was one of reasons he came to Tyneside.
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa – in action against Metalist Kharkiv
But we knew that Yohan had his best friend Mathieu Debuchy chomping at the bit to come to Newcastle last year, and Mathieu said that during last years’ European Championships, that all Yohan talked about in training camp was Newcastle. 😀
This is what Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa had to say to FIFA:
“”It’s a new league and a new team.” “It’s not easy!” “There’s good football here, and people are passionate about football.” “The fans live for their club, they’re always behind their team and they do everything to help them perform as well as possible. “
“There’s also a great tactical culture and recognition for good bits of skill on the pitch, even defensive ones. There’s everything I need here to thrive.” “Playing together all year round obviously lets you build an understanding on the pitch, and helps you to get to know one another better,” he said. “If we then end up together at international level, that can certainly help the French national team.”
“Even though I didn’t get to go to the Euro, it was great for me just to have made it into the provisional squad.” “It gives me even more motivation to work hard every day, so that I can continue to be part of this adventure in the years to come.”
“Without wishing to offend anyone, France are among the best teams in the world.” “My goal was to do everything I could to get my foot in the door of the French national team. Being a France international is, for me, a key ingredient for a great career, and that’s exactly what I want to have. I want to play with the best players and for big clubs, and this is one of the steps.
“Yohan Cabaye told us a lot of good things about Newcastle United.” Obviously when somebody you know, talks about what they’ve experienced in that way, it makes you want the same thing.” There is good football here and the people are passionate about football. The supporters live for their club and they are always behind the team, the do everything to help the players perform as well as possible.
“There is also a great tactical culture with recognition for good bits skill on the pitch, even for defensive ones.” “There is everything I need at Newcastle to thrive.”
Mapou will get an extended run in the Newcastle side now that Coloccini is out for a few weeks, and the Frenchman has already put in some sterling performances for Newcastle, including giving an accomplished display last night, and that will not harm his International chances.
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8 comments so far
roshan MAGPIE
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:34 AM
Comment #1lads I have never seen haidara play so I would like ask you all this who has more pace haidara or santon
roshan MAGPIE
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:36 AM
Comment #2lads I have never seen haidara play so I would like to ask you this who has more pace haidara or santon
Rainrix
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:37 AM
Comment #3Sage…. I have noticed debuchy seems to get caught out occasionally but he’s improved every game he’s played in so he’ll only get better in my eyes.
Santon needs to time it better, fortunately its something you can teach and it’ll come with experience. From what ive seen haidara seems the better all round full back but santon is the better attacker.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:39 AM
Comment #4not 100% sure Roshan
I think it might be santon from what I have seen so far, but neither are too slow and don’t think there is a lot in it.
Transfer Sage
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:43 AM
Comment #5rainrix
All full backs get caught at times though, look at the top teams, all are open to concede at times in modern football.
The key is to limit the chances you give and don’t give them at the wrong time in a game (eg. be solid just after scoring to keep the pressure on the opposition).
I think santon will get better at this, I think having jonas in front of him gave him too much of a license to attack and he carries this on even with gouffran there.
Hopefully haidara will push santon which will make them both better players.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Mar 8, 2013 at 9:49 AM
Comment #6I thought he and Perch had good games linked up well as central defenders. Perch my man of the match.
Haidara looks a bargain to – after two games – like the look of him.
Be interesting playing Haidara as full back with Santon pushed up into midfield
Scottiedog
Mar 8, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Comment #7I think Collo has gone back to Argentina for good now, and the broken bones in his back is a very good excuse!!! For me tho Mbiwa is actually a better player and with Saylor will be awesome.
Perch was outstanding
AmericanGeordie
Mar 8, 2013 at 3:05 PM
Comment #8These comments about the fullbacks are very interesting.
You could see last night how disciplined and organized we looked defensively with two “stay-at-home” fullbacks in Simpson & Haidara. BUT, we created almost nothing offensively.
Dubuchy & Santon are marauding, attacking fullbacks. In our favored 4-2-3-1, I think you need this element to really stretch and unlock a defense. However, it requires a “team defense” mentality. The two holding mids, in particular, have to be cognizant of the FB’s runs and cover for them.
I like Santon’s attacking intent, and Debuchy is an absolute joy to watch bombing down the right side. (He has spent more time in the attacking third in one month on Tyneside than Simpson has in 3 years!) However, these guys WILL be caught out of position by definition, and it’s up to the wingers, and more importantly, Cabaye, Tiote & Anita to cover these runs.
HWTL!!!