He isn’t faultless, but at times he has been bloody close to it and has turned in some fantastic performances that are befitting of a player that cost a shade over £10 million around two and a half years ago when he arrived from Deportivo la Coruna.
In fact in a recent poll conducted here on NUFCblog.info, it was Colo who came out on top, by some margin, when you guys were asked to vote who you thought was our best central defender. The 29-year-old Sideshow Bob lookalike managed to bag 86% of the vote, and quite rightly so in my opinion.
With that fresh in my mind, and with Alan Pardew’s recent effusive praise of the Argentinian, it has kind of left me wondering just where you would rank Colo compared to some of our other defenders from the Premier League era.
I’m using the Premier League era as a reference period as there had to be a cut off point or else you could go all the way back to the days of Bobby Moncur, or beyond if your memory is up to scratch.
Realistically though, it was a very different game back then, so trying to compare players between the two different era’s would be a tough call to make, and it’s one that I don’t fancy making. Of course, if you guys wish to then I won’t stand in your way.
So just who is it that Colo is up against then? Well there isn’t that many that measure up to him in my opinion. Barry Venison was on his last legs when he joined. Steve Howey was good, but fitness was his issue, and it was the same for Jonathan Woodgate. I never really rated Darren Peacock to be honest, and don’t get me started on the likes of Titus Bramble, Jean-Alain Boumsong and David Rozenhal.
I’m fact, looking back, there is only one Newcastle defender from the recent past that I can compare Coloccini to, and that man is Philippe Albert. Of course, it would be rude to mention Philippe and not show this clip of him at his best.
Of course Colo scored his own belter in the last match against Tottenham, but when you put it up against Philippe Albert there is no comparison and the Belgian wins hands down every single time. Colo is good, but Albert was something else.
However, if Colo can continue his fine form then there is a possibility that he could overtake Albert and become, in my opinion, the best central defender that Newcastle have ever had during the Premier League years.
To be honest, the fact that I am writing this is in itself a testament to Fabricio Coloccini. Personally, looking back 18 months ago, I could never have envisaged myself writing a piece about Colo let alone comparing him to the great Albert, which shows just how far he has come in such a short space of time.
He’s not the best we’ve had yet, but he is’t far off!
Although I have such fond memories of Albert in the black and white, Colo is the all-round better defender for me.
El Toro(Quote)
I agree with that pretty much, especially when you consider the team Albert had in front of him.
toonsy(Quote)
Hmm, I see we have some defectors eh? 😡
toonsy(Quote)
I suppose Thomas Vermaelen would be the closest ting o a modern day Philippe Albert now, eh Toons?
El Toro(Quote)
I suppose Thomas Vermaelen would be the closest ting to a modern day Philippe Albert now, eh Toons?
El Toro(Quote)
I wouldn’t agree with that. I think he is pipe to be honest
I’d be tempted to say Pique, for his ability with the ball mainly. Of course, Pique is also a very good defender.
toonsy(Quote)
You don’t rate Vermaelen?
El Toro(Quote)
No not really. Dunno why, he just doesn’t do it for me 😕
toonsy(Quote)
That’s fair enough I suppose. Massive fan of his myself.
Not a scratch on Pique, though, to be fair. Who I bet Man United are really regretting they let go now.
El Toro(Quote)
Strange one though. I don’t quite get why Barca let him go in the first place? Same with Fabregas really? Now they have one back and are interested in the other one aswell, both at huge prices???
toonsy(Quote)
Newcastle eyeing up Pablo Piatti apparently 🙄 🙄 🙄
toonsy(Quote)
That Pablo Piatto rumour seems like a load of tosh. I’m always sceptical when almost every Premiership side are linked with a foreign star via the exact same website at the exact same time. Very News of the World-esque 🙄
El Toro(Quote)
Barca often have an embarrassment of riches in the talent department and I suppose even they let a few slip through their fingers from time to time. It’s not as if the repercussion’s are ever that great anyway, though, are they? They know, more times than not, the player is likely to seek a return to his “spiritual home” once they come-a-calling. Oh, the arrogance…
El Toro(Quote)
Colo and Albert absolute quality, pure defending tho, Colo just shades it for me. 🙂
richietoon(Quote)
Imagine a Colo/Albert central defensive pairing. Chips and volleys from all over the place. The Harlem Globetrotters of defending 😆
toonsy(Quote)
ET – Do you not think that is because those players get inducted into Barca at such a young age? So it really does feel like home for them?
toonsy(Quote)
Colo was away upfront again on Saturday looking for another shortly after his first one 😀 He’s been great all season but the last couple of games he’s been outstanding imo. After JB and Jose’s contracts get sorted they need to get Colo’s done asap.
richietoon(Quote)
Problem with Colo is his age. Granted he is only 29, but I dont know whether he would get a similar deal with us. Unless he wants to be another volunteer for a pay cut 😈
toonsy(Quote)
He might do, considering the players seem to think the club is heading in the right direction?? Which gives me an idea,,,,, 💡
toonsy(Quote)
Aye true, but they could maybe give him a 4 year one at the end of the season.
richietoon(Quote)
I suppose. The good thing about Colo is that he is hardly ever injured.
toonsy(Quote)
Some of the rumours today are complete toss aren’t they? Shola to Brum? 🙄
toonsy(Quote)
I think Colo should start scoring goals more often especially when he’s our most technically gifted defender currently, remember the volley against citeh? Shame it didnt went in
Btw have a look at Pique’s goal against inter and you will be forgiven if you thought he was a striker 😆
arcarius(Quote)
You’re right. Colo is technically superb. I reckon we could see him in midfield for a bit to be honest. Pardew reckons he could play there ❓ ❓
toonsy(Quote)
Colo has proved to be an iron man of sorts. He seems to always be available and with ability to read the game, I think he’ll be in top form for many years to come still.
100 games in the 2 and a half years he’s been at the toon. I wonder exactly how many games he’s missed? Can’t be more than 20 or so.
Having players like Tiote and bull around him will only extend his greatness and if we finally build a squad that can hold possession with a bit of quality, I wouldn’t be surprised if he started bagging more goals. Great teammate as well, I have now problem penciling him in for the next 4 or 5 years right now.
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
He’s more than capable of getting more goals, it was only a goal line clearance that stopped him scoring v 5under1and too.
richietoon(Quote)
*no problem
Aye Toonsy. The rumours are coming out from all angles it seems. Must all be trying to get the most out of the last week of the window lol. The piatti rumour, though complete bollocks is a canny shout. If he is valued at 8 mil surely we are capable of managing that. I’ve seen him a few times and always got the feeling he was going to be class whilst dumbfounded on how such a small lad could make such a big impact all over the pitch.
Pardew mentioned that he liked reading up on the rumours and speculation. Hopefully he’ll see this one and say, know what that’s not a bad idea ❗ drop the lads off in Portugal and I’m gonna head over to Spain for a few days lol 😎
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Richie aye but all those chances were off corners where he is hardly the main target. If we could hold possession well and he could pick his runs like Albert, I think he could get quite a few a year. He would’ve had 2 vs spurs if the ball in to him that ended up with Joey, was a little better.
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
Collo is without doubt a class act. I always thought he was a great player even in his troubled first year – he played well with Faye and dropped to pieces with Taylor (familiar story)
But its sheer class, he is a joy to watch – for me Collo above Albert – by a small margin.
The other thing I love about Collo is that he fought through all of the turmoil – he is great friends with Jonas and Enrique – and they have banter with the rest of the lads re their music etc – all of whom are huge parts in our team spirit.
A contender for captain for me – but to be fair Nolan deserves to keep it. Never seen team spirit like this in my lifetime of supporting us.
Stardust(Quote)
Defectors Toonsy?
Stardust(Quote)
I’m wondering the same about this defector business. Did the lads get to Portugal and then some snuck out to Spain to sign up to play in some warmer climate 😀
JerseyGeordie(Quote)
moustache or curly top ?
never forget his runs out’a defence & that goal against m/utd – he was one of the entertainers – so it’s the tashe for me.
roy cropper(Quote)
Jersey, true and like you say when we keep possession better, which we will do as they improve as a team then Colo could get forward with a bit more confidence even more so with Tiote in the team providing cover…… just as long as he does it sensibly and doesn’t let it affect his defending.
richietoon(Quote)
Ah – I’ve “worked” it out – no accounting for lack for moral fibre Toonsy – 😆 – the jellyfish know who they are 😈
Stardust(Quote)
Stardust…Knew you’d get there eventually 😉
richietoon(Quote)
dickie – what’s gannin on like ?
roy cropper(Quote)
Roy…lets just say I’m classed as one of the aforementioned 😉
richietoon(Quote)
I can see the similarities between Colo and Albert, both technically gifted players, but for me Colo gets the shout as positionally he hardly ever gets caught out..
As an all rounder though in my opinion Woodgate was as good a defender as I have ever seen, we looked solid every time he played.
As you alluded to though, his injury problems didn’t help his career at SJP.
MikeAshleysWallet(Quote)
Yep Richie – you’re the kind of man with slime on his hands 😆
MAW – I think Woodgate could have been one of Englands greats – but…
Stardust(Quote)
Think Collo was players player of the year last year too – certainly was Chris’s
Stardust(Quote)
moring girls ,wat goin down man 😎
batty(Quote)
Morning Capt Jellyfish – see your ship is filling full of a jelly catch!
Jellyfish or Weasels – what say you? 😉 😆
Stardust(Quote)
Coloccini never played with Faye his debut was at man utd alongside Taylor. Faye had fcuked off to Stoke by then.
CC(Quote)
iam doing what i can stardy ,but need a bit of help advertising 😉 i can only do so much by my self
batty(Quote)
I maybe getting confused CC – thought is was Faye – must have been Bassong.
Stardust(Quote)
Coloccini for me has been simply outstanding. He”ll certainly make my top 3 central defenders to have played for Newcastle United in the premier league. The others being Albert and Woodgate.
ahmed4nufc(Quote)
What’s the story with the defectors?
jay jay(Quote)
Like the blog.
Toon Toon(Quote)
Over the last 4-5 magtches, Collo has played as well as a CD can play. Absolutley perfect and effortless. You can see the man’s confidence is through the roof so he may finally be peaking as a player. I will enjoy the show
MDS(Quote)
Toonsy its a hard one to choose between the 2, I do feel guilty but i would have to pick Albert, i just feel that Colo hasn’t been with us at the top long enough. But i do think if he keeps it up for the rest of this season and next he might be the main man
Big Dave(Quote)
aye hes playing very good worth the 10 mill 😉
batty(Quote)
only time collo standards drop is when the wonderful taylor plays along side him,which thank god isnt often hes a bit fitness prone 😆
icedog(Quote)
Batty there was times when we 1st got him he looked like we should have paid a tenner for him 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
aye but hes made up for it since dave
batty(Quote)
he has indeed mate.
Listen to ice he never misses a chance to get a dig in about wor Tayls or wor Joey 🙂
Big Dave(Quote)
Joey is a legend 🙂
jay jay(Quote)
The reason Barcelona have let players like Fabegras n Pique go is they cant sign a contact til their 18 or and clubs can come in and pick them up for next to nowt.
They want to return to barcelona due to them mainly been from the cathalan region themselves and the emotional ties they have to the area and the club. Many Catalans were persucted during the Franco regime due to them been Catholic. So there is huge competion and dare i say a hatred between the citys of madrid n bareclona and due to this players and the community generally are in love with their club. Hnece thier motto ‘ more than a club ‘
Sorry for the mini history lesson 🙂
Johno Toon(Quote)
DAVE 😀 you bet 😈
icedog(Quote)
DAVE he is happy with taylor doesnt mind 2nd raters,i do,only the best for the toon for me 😀
icedog(Quote)
I was winding Rich up with the defector comment lol.
No need for panic people 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Oh right, richietoon been naughty?
jay jay(Quote)
richie cannot even tune into right radio st,poor lad 😀
icedog(Quote)
And he’s 55th in the FF league 🙂
jay jay(Quote)
Richie is always naughty 😈
toonsy(Quote)
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_6700199,00.html
CC(Quote)
Why’ve you put that up CC?
I Love Mike(Quote)
Johno, partially right but nothing to do with them being Catholic, Franco was catholic and saw himself as the defender of Catholic Spain……it was more to do with them wanting a seperatist state and he tried to stop the use of minority Spanish dialects/languages………..it’s strange cos wor lass is from Madrid but she hates people from Barca(peaceful means to self rule) more than Basques(violent strategy to get home rule)….go figure eh? they’re a strange bunch 🙂
richietoon(Quote)
Because we should be fighting tooth and nail for Van Aanholt, How weve avoided Enrique getting an injury for so long is anyones guess.
CC(Quote)
CC-yep
richietoon(Quote)
Rich has been immersing himself in Spanish history I see 😆
toonsy(Quote)
ah right, thought i’d missed something.
Van Aanholt, yeah I liked him as much as you, but paying someone a wage to sit on our bench? Signing him as Enrique ‘may’ get an injury? Not so sure like, the players we’ve got can fill in for a game or two if he gets injured/suspended. If he were to get a long term injury however, fair enough, we would need someone, but I don’t think we’re as bad in the L/B possition as people think.
I Love Mike(Quote)
Toonsy… always good to know a bit about where your living or going to live, did the same with everywhere I was posted in the army too 🙂
richietoon(Quote)
Ice I thought you were to old and wise to bite 😆 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave…ya’ve got one out of the two right 😉 😆
richietoon(Quote)
DAVE nee biting from me mate,just putting my view,think taylor gives his co/centre half as much work to do as does working on attackers,and has been fitness prone for a while now,talks a good game mind, but so do we 2nd rater imo that all,reminds me of o”brian the nearly man
icedog(Quote)