The ‘who is our best defender’ argument has been done to death, with Fabricio Coloccini being the runaway winner of that particular argument, but it’s his defensive partner that is up for debate this time around. Just who gets the best out of Coloccini?
If you put up a poll asking who is better out of Mike Williamson or Steven Taylor you will get mixed results. Both have their faults, but both can be outstanding on their particular day.
Indeed Mike Williamson has epitomised this over the last few weeks as he looked ropey against Fulham in the 1-0 defeat and against Arsenal in the 4-4 draw, but he has been outstanding since those two games and has hardly put a foot wrong.
Williamson has formed a solid partnership with Coloccini in the heart of the Newcastle defence and they seem to compliment each other really well. Ability wise, Williamson may not be as good as Taylor in the eyes of some, but it’s hard to argue that wheb paired with Coloccini the defence looks solid.
Then you have Steven Taylor, who has the attributes to be a cracking defender to be fair. Do you think he is the better partner for Colo? Personally I have my doubts on that, but perhaps that is because it has been so long since I have seen him have a run of games next to our Argentinian defensive maestro.
Playing as a team doesn’t necessarily mean that the best players in terms of ability make the team stronger. When you have a partnership that works well it sometimes outweighs the ability gap, and it’s hard to argue against that with a Williamson and Coloccini combination at the back in my opinon.
Still, it’s just my opinion, but what what do you think?
Who do you think is our best centre-back pairing?
RICHIETOON your back 😆 i owe you a few,ill bide my time 😉
got dave 4 times lately guess whos next 😈
icedog(Quote)
At the moment, because of the number of games they’ve played together. I’d go with Willo and Taylor.
I think if Taylor gets a run of games, and learns to allow Colo to instruct him at the back. He has far more potential than Willo but has to work even harder at becoming a DEFENDER first and foremost. Use his height and strength at set pieces, not rampage forward for the sake of it.
JJ(Quote)
Ice…. I thought I was being kind, I did say “young Ice” 😉 😀
richietoon(Quote)
Dunno. I think Willo is steady for the most part, if not spectacular.
The trouble with Taylor is the occasional horrible blunder. He’s no Bramble, but he’s not that far off it…
Fans Should Own The Club(Quote)
Stephen Taylor is to defending what Chocolate is to fire guards – our defense turns to jelly mixed with easy one two bypasses and last minute lunges.
Steven Taylor – no thanks! Collo and Willo every time
Argghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Stardust(Quote)
see stardust does kna aboot footy
icedog(Quote)
lol Ice – I just heard a couple of blokes muttering about it in a pub and repeated it here (dont want to spoil me reputation!) 😆 😆
Stardust(Quote)
modest very modest 😀
icedog(Quote)
83@82 like
icedog(Quote)
Anyone rekon Kadar will ever get a look in anytime soon? Seems like a decent defender to me, just cant see him ever braking into the team.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
I happen to like Saylor and think him and collo would be better. I think Kadar really needs to go out on a seasons loan to get a chance to develop much like forster has, though I hope we benefit from Forsters loan and not the scotch gets.
Kadar will be a central figure in time I think, esp with him being a lefty it will bring that natural balance.
raffo(Quote)
I think that Saylor makes Colo weaker. This is what I was saying in the article. Taylor is probably the better pound for pound defedner over Williamson, but if his game makes that of the strongest CB (Colo) weaker then you have to ask whether or not it’s worth putting him back in?
I don’t think it’s a massive conicidence that Colo looks more nervy when he has to play with Taylor as he spends a lot of time covering for him and is unsure of where he’ll be. Williamson and Colo have that understanding IMO which allows Colo to express himself a bit more.
toonsy(Quote)
Hhmmmm, I hear what your saying. I think we should be looking to get in another CB in the summer anyway, as a better partner for Collo. It is one of the positions I think we can improve further, in addition to the forward dept.
I think Saylor is a good RB, but it would be unfair to drop Simpson at the moment. That said theres no room for sentiment in football!
I really am wondering what Pards will do with the keepers when Forster comes back in the summer. Who will he let go, either loan or perm? Has Harps got another season in him at this level or should he be phased out?
raffo(Quote)
raffo harper has been by far the better keeper this season ,another 2 or 3 seasons in him yet
batty(Quote)
May or may not have been said before, but our best defensive pairing has to be Tiote!
The only reason in my oppinion that our defence, whoever that is, has done well this season is because of this man sitting in front of them.
David(Quote)
Couldnt agree anymore Toonsy, dunno if i’m the only person who see’s Taylor going on his little runs up the pitch every time he plays?
Colo and Mike understand each other now – really hope Pardew doesnt disrupt it.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)