A left-field solution to the left-back dilemma?

toonsy

Eric Lichaj - An outside bet?
With Jose Enrique’s seemingly imminent departure, most Newcastle fans are asking themselves the same thing: “Who’s going to replace Enrique at left-back?”

Wayne Bridge? Too old, too pricey, and Mike Ashley isn’t going to want to pay his £90,000 a week wage. Neither would I to be fair. Neil Taylor? Signed a new deal with Swansea, yet I still see this one floating around. Steven Warnock? Nicky Shorey? Even Cheikh M’Bengue? All of these players would fit the left-back spot, but with Steven and Nicky aged 30 they’re most definitely not getting any younger. We need somebody who can play well, and is still young enough to improve drastically.

My answer: Aston Villa’s 22 year old American international, Eric Lichaj.

His impressive season on loan at Leeds United was enough to convince Bob Bradley to call up Lichaj for the 23-man United States squad in their Gold Cup run. He didn’t start the first two games against Canada and Panama, but later started the remaining four games for the United States where he put in three solid appearances against Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Panama, and one woeful appearance against Mexico.

Now, I must say that while he was a terrible performer against Mexico, he was put into an awkward position, right back. See, Steve Cherundolo was injured and taken off in the 11th minute, which gave Bob Bradley the brilliant idea of putting on Jonathan Bornstein for Cherundolo. Problem though is that Bornstein and Lichaj play the same position, so Lichaj was shifted to right-back while Bornstein ‘played’ left-back . Lichaj, while naturally right-footed, looked awkward and out of place the entire game, and defensive lapses from the United States allowed Mexico to take control of the game and win 4-2. At 22 he still has time to learn from that and adapt to playing both left and right comfortably.

Would he fit in with the current back line though? I think he would. His play style is quite aggressive and physical, but he shows bits of flair at times, much like Enrique. He wouldn’t dictate the game, but he’d win challenges and it would be safe to say that we’d let in less goals. He’s also naturally right footed, so (with a bit of training ground work) he’d be able to cover for Danny Simpson if he were to go out injured during the season, and at 22, he’s still got miles of room for improvement on top of being a solid player already.

Is Lichaj the next left-back super star? Not at all. But Lichaj does fit in under this current transfer philosophy that the ever “knowledgeable” Mike Ashley has come up with. He’s young, and he’d be cheap. I’d expect Villa to part ways with Lichaj for about £3-4 million, if even that.

To be honest though I just hope we bring in a left-back!

Thank to Wor Jackie for sending this in. A bit of a left-field choice but it’s probably something that Newcastle would go for – cheap, unknown, and with potential. Like it? Feel free to debate it or it apart or offer your own suggestions to problem that most of us know exists. You can keep up to date with Wor Jackie on Twitter @Ganon391

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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259 thoughts on “A left-field solution to the left-back dilemma?”

  1. Dave, I taught Jean Claude all he knows in marital arts, and the mullet he currently sports was once mine in 1986.

    He was the highest bidder at Sotheby’s, June 2010. Just managed to outbid Paul Daniels. 12 grand in my back pocket. Leddies end jennelmen, ayyyy thengyoooo.

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  5. ….downside is having to walk around town with my brain exposed through the cracks in my skull.

    Scalping though, has its bonuses. Even if it means having to put up with the odd “skullheed” shout.

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  6. …am hevin a Porcy Mein for mi tea like. Bit like Chow Main, but with spiked railings instead of Prawn Crackers.

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  10. Toonsys going to be a dad…. 😆
    Cracking news toonsy good on you lad

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  12. Dave @125 – I just meant if it became official as I don’t know if it is or isn’t a done deal 🙂

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  13. well stop taaarkin sh1te then Toonsy, what kind of an answer is that. I bet you *** Mike Ashley.

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  15. In other news obertan is set to sign 5 year deal we love a Frenchman don’t we? 😀

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  17. Back on article think warnock would be better buy than this lad I’m afraid

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  18. Liam, I wouldn’t read anything into any articles you read on player transfer speculation for at least 3 weeks. Whoever goes or comes in, the media will be the last to know. James fkn Bond does our PR.

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  19. not really rating obertan to be honest, Fergie and co have obviously seen a lot of him and not rated him – fair enough toon aren’t at same level as manure at the mo but think he’s a backward step imo

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  20. Haha that’s why I love it rodzilla who could have thought of obertan for crying out loud?

    To be fair he will surprise they always seem to. Just not in a good way.

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  24. Good Good dave- I’ll show you some of my Photoshop creations as I do them, doing a simple sir bobby when at the min.

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  25. Dave, the hacks are loving this ‘intelligent bad-boy ****’. It does my fkn head in to be honest.

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  26. Rod dont let it get to ye mate chillax with a big slice of herb cake 😆
    Spence can you already use it ? as it can be a bit hard to get started ❓

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  28. Big Dave- Ive used it in school and stuff before, ive never done anything really advanced but I can do simple stuff.

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  29. TTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNSSSSSSSSSSYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    …at least I now know I’ve been seen.

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  36. wey Dave, aye. That Mail story is probli ***** like.

    jesus

    eh

    …is part of fatty’s plan to have everyone in Newcastle speaking French by 2030?

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  38. Obertan panicbuy… I dunno whether to laugh or cry, i know its another body, but when we finally get someone in, come on!… I swear its like NUFC cant do anything right these days.

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  39. This is bollocks. NUFC need to get rid of all the foreigners now, and sign everyone from Workington FC.

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  40. I said obetan was shyte the other day, I was over reacting, he could be a decent signing.

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  41. I actually think Obertan would be a great signing for us.

    I’m very rairly impressed by Man U rejects, I just get the feeling that he would do well at Newcastle, dunno why.

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  42. ..some pretty neat back-pedalling there lads – straight from Bob Haro’s Book of Freestyle Moves.

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  43. I’de hardly call him a reject anyway. I dont think any of our current wingers would get into the team ahead of Nani, Valencia, Giggs and park and co.

    Maybe ben arfa if you we’re classing him as a winger.

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  45. He’s quick for one thing. I know that doesn’t count for everything but can hardly say he has no skill and talent to go with it.

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  48. “I’m very rairly impressed by Man U rejects, I just get the feeling that he would do well at Newcastle, dunno why.”

    LOL. Well thats hardly a ringing endorsement.
    😀

    Anybody seen much of him and able to give a more rounded opinion of his strengths or weaknesses?

    Is he better or at least as good as the folks we already have who can play that position, cos if he isn’t – then what’s the point?

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  50. Pootle, that’s a pretty fair comment ‘comb-and-catch’ attack, however; I’m most disappointed you fell at the first by failing to spell ‘rarely’ correctley.

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  51. No Pootle, no ones seen much of him as he never gets a game.

    Man Utd rejects are always mint though, take Alan Smith for example….. 🙄 😀

    …and Danny Simpson may even get an assist this year!

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  56. I know I am late to the game…as usual, but congrats Toonsy. My wife had a bit of trouble as well…in the end, we ended up with twins.

    Might I suggest Trevor as a good name for a lad… 😀

    Is the Obertan thing official? When would the club announce it?

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  57. Also, wasn’t there a piece the other day in which Pardew said that he spoke with SAF about twitter, etc. Maybe this was the reason for the call and twitter was just an aside?

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  58. LOL.

    Never mind Rodzilla.
    Simple mistake-a to make-a.

    And it’s not a paraphrase – it’s a direct quote. 😳 😆
    CTRL-C, CTRL-V
    I got some krazey keyboard skillz goin’ on here. 😈

    Moreno – I was hoping someone, somewhere might have seen him so we would have more to go on than DJG’s gut feeling and the fact he is fast.
    Guess I was hoping that someone could give a reason to have confidence he isn’t just a cheap makeweight, or like I said, whats the point?

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  59. NorCal Toonfan, would never have guessed you had twins. But well fair play on the early B&W uniform mentality deal.

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  62. Rodzilla, they were wearing the strip when they were but 3 months old. Now I am coaching them on their team…got me a #9 and a #3…though I guess the # 3 will have to change…fricking Jose… 😡

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  63. PooTle, I was referring to you paraphrasing myself calling Paul Daniels a Labrador, I’ll understand if you don’t get it.

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  64. Maybe its just me, but did Pardew seriously need advice from Ol’ RedNose on how to handle the Twitter situation?????

    I mean, can’t he figure something like that out all by himself?
    Lawks-a-lordy!

    Although maybe he could get him to manage the team while he’s on?

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  65. Northern California, it’s a strange, yet comforting thought knowing NUFC is supported worldwide. I’m black and white to the bone and feel quite flattered our loyalty is appreciated worldwide. And so it fkin should be!

    cheers mate!

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  70. Well Rodders, there’s one thing I don’t understand.
    The thing I don’t understand is every motherfunking word you’re saying.

    😈 😈 😈 😆

    Bonus point if you can source the quote!!

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  73. How much cider have you had by now? 😀
    By the way, miss the strongbow.
    My wife and I have been over to England several times (Once to SJP even) and we’ve always made it a point to get lots and lots of strongbow.

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