Who is our best defensive pairing?

toonsy

The best defensive pairing?
With news that Steven Taylor is back in training, and with Mike Williamson stating his intention to fight for a place, it could leave Newcastle manager, Alan Pardew facing somewhat of a selection headache once all of our central defensive options are fit.

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?

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

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91 thoughts on “Who is our best defensive pairing?”

  3. Thought that apart from one lapse in concentration against Birmongham, Williamson and Collocini were outstanding but maybe this pairing only works well against a big un and little un combo.
    Taylor should wait his turn and earn his place back.

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  6. and we havent seen much of taylor and colo partnership since weve been back in the prem ,so iam on the fence ,and as people should know by now i never have and never will slag a player while he is playing for us

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  10. Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo says France has no reason to envy the quality of football in the Premier League.

    “Behind the big guns there’s also Sunderland or Wolves. French players end up watching the ball fly over their heads for 90 minutes.”

    Anigo also says Stephane Sessegnon was wrong to leave PSG for Sunderland. “In terms of the level of their play, PSG are clearly better!”

    😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆

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  22. dog willo wants too try throwing himself in front of the ball like taylor dus instead of jumping oot the way 😉

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  29. Saylor reminds me of Shitus Bramble at times. Sometimes good sometimes awful and sometimes missing when needed. He still thinks he could be a striker 😯
    How many times have we pushed both CB’s forwards for a set piece and then been caught on the break 👿
    If they can cut this out then great.
    Competition for the place is what it all about, and should result in an improvement to all 3 players. Cant see Sol being anything more than a last 15min super sub, but should have something to bring to the trg.

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  30. Ya know, despite the fact that Sol is passed it, it’s still a bit of an honor to have to in the squad. The guy is a legend!

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  33. Dog-

    Naw, me neither, but still. He’s at least got great experience. Maybe the younger lads can learn summit from him

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  35. O!HURLEY i did mate left when i was 18yrs,traveled the world a lot (work),now settled in durham 15min drive to toon 😀

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  36. I think Batty’s got Saylor pretty much nailed. I like the guy’s guts, and he’s definitely the more attacking player – but can also be a mouthy, unreliable, ball-handling liability on his off days.

    My main concern with him and Collo is this: so who’s staying back to defend? AP has done a great job splitting our back 4 into attackers and defenders, and Collo’s had some corking shots on goal. Not sure we can do that with Saylor, who will always want to go forward and can be too easily caught out of position.

    Saylor is all about the passion and the guts, and he’s not exactly lacking in skill either. I think we’ll see him and Willo battling for that place for a while – and hopefully AP will learn who to use for which match.

    Let’s not forget that Saylor’s a pretty good RB too when needed.

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  41. I think its Collo – Willo.
    Havent seen enough of Saylor to see why he should replace Willo, yet.

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  43. I think when everyone is fit and playing their best, it could be a matter of opposition. Think Taylor is more speedy, but Willo seems better in the air and with postioning. But just to get the record straight. I think Coloccini and Williamson is our best pairing and Taylor should wait for a dip of form from either to get back in the starting XI. Plus I don’t think Perch is as bad as he is made out to be.

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  44. DAVE for me collo tends to loose a bit of his game when saylor,is playing,as he often drifts out of position a lot,simples 😀

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  45. Stevie Taylor always, Sure he makes mistakes (no more than Willo 🙄 by the way) but Taylor can actually play a bit and aint an overrated lower league hoofer plus he is a proper threat in the opposition area.

    I think Pardew can see it as well…

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  46. Toonsy/Batty-

    Indeed, it is in fact moonshine. I gotta cabin up in the Appalachian mountains hehe 😉 Pay us a visit and I’ll show ya haha

    But I do enjoy the paper route. I don’t need to do it, mind. Just for kicks like. ha!

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  49. On topic,

    I gotta say I feel like the Willo/Colo partnership is the best defensive lineup I’ve seen at Newcastle since I’ve been watching the team play. Seb Bassong WHO?

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  50. I reckon in the past the issue has been Colo not being so dominant so Tayls assumed the mantle of no.1 defender. If taylor is told, “look son, colo is the main man,support him and listen to him” it could really work but I just see Taylor thinking he is better than he is and trying to run the defence as some sort of unofficial captain.

    If it’s a toss up and nowt in it….Taylor as he is time served toon

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  51. Moreno-

    Yeah, I get the impression that Saylor has himself a bit of an ego. Colo is better and has virtually no ego. This is why I go with the Argentine. Besides, his hair is smashin’ LMFAO

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  52. Taylors so overrated for me like, just because hes a geordie means nothing, has to be Mike and Colo.

    Anyone else think Taylor would be a much better right back? It would be harsh on Simpson though.

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  53. AndrewNUFC-

    Saylor ain’t actually a real Geordie. Lol, unless you wanna argue the whole nature vs nurture thing haha

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  54. AndrewNUFC –

    Deffo think it would be harsh on Simpson, think he’s been brilliant this season. But it nice to have Taylor back to cover CB/RB for now.

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  56. OH…he was born in South Shields which now comes under Tyne and Wear 😉

    Colo and Willo on merit at the mo for me 😀

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  57. Just with Taylor loving to get forward, he played right back when we drew with Everton 2-2, scored one and set Duff up for the second.

    The Zog missed a sitter to make it 3-2…Good times.

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  58. Skysports 1 just watching Albert scoring two and setting the other up for Tino for a 3-3 draw.

    If you want to talk about central defenders…..there’s only one phillepe Albert!!!

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  59. Richie-

    Saylor is a sand dancer?? I thought he was born in the South lol! haha, shows how much I know 🙂

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  61. Ice for me its Taylor but I still dont think he should just walk into the team, but I think you will find that Pards see’s enough of Taylor to know that he is slightly better than Willo so I guess it will just be a matter of time before he is back 😉
    But it is a good problem to have deciding which one to play 😀

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  64. Haha, Dave-

    Thanks… I think? Yeah, I finally got around to it yesterday. Figured I’d go with something close to home (my home, that is).

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  72. Come to think about it this is one fo the few positions on the team that has any competition.

    I like that Willo seems to be a bit more durable than Saylor Willo is taller which helps on set pieces. Willo does not roam out of position often. Willo may not have some of the athletic skills of Saylor, but looks aa shade better total package to me.

    BTW, when the SPL season ends does Foster come right home to NUFC? Now there might be some competiton if he does. Though, I’d loan him to the USA MLS to keep getting games.

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  73. Ah yes the good old days Cycling 20 mile watch the game and cycle home in all weathers.Crowds of 60,000 plus they don’t know there born today 😀

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  75. NUTMEG kna m8 you had it hard, ten min walk for me aye and the crooks would say 35/40 crowds,we knew there was over 60thou 30 in there back pockets you couldnt even lift your arms at times we were so packed in

    couldnt catch me peanuts at times lol

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