Demba Ba had given the home side the lead midway through the first half before Robbie Keane equalised for Aston Villa. The new boy in town managed to grab the headlines though with a stunning turn and half-volley which was about as “top corner” as you could get leaving ex-Newcastle stalwart Shay Given with absolutely no chance of getting anywhere near the ball.
Aston Villa had the better of the opening exchanges and created the first chance of the match for Darren Bent, who was thwarted from a tight angle by Tim Krul who then followed up the save by denying Stiliyan Petrov from the rebound.
Papiss Cisse had to make do with a role on the bench, but he was soon to be given his chance courtesy of an injury to Leon Best who was withdrawn in the 14th minute with what we know is a medial ligament injury. Cisse entered the St James’ Park pitch to a rapturous applause as the home fans welcomed the next number nine to Newcastle United.
Aside from a flicked header a couple of minutes after his arrival, Cisse’s introduction failed to temper the visitors who continued to create chances and have the better of the play. Darren Bent was once again denied by Tim Krul while Robbie Keane looked threatening throughout.
However the opening goal arrived somewhat against the run of play, and it was a familiar name who inflicted the damage once more. Danny Guthrie crossed into the box only to see it cleared by Richard Dunne to Ryan Taylor at the back post who smashed the ball back across goal for Demba Ba to instinctively trap and turn before firing past Shay Given. That was Demba Ba’s 16th goal of the season but it was Ryan Taylor who paid the price and was stretchered off the field with his leg in a brace sucking on gas and air in a scene reminiscent of Hatem Ben Arfa 18 months ago.
Fortunately it would appear that there has been no damage done aside from some severe bruising following the clash with Stephen Warnock, which is great news in truth. Taylor may not be my favourite player, but I wouldn’t want him injured at all. Gabriel Obertan replaced the Scouse lad.
Newcastle looked to be eeking towards half-time holding the advantage but Aston Villa hit back deep into the six minutes of added on time. Charles N’Zogbia crossed into the box for Robbie Keane who made the most of empty space in the middle of the penalty area and fired past Tim Krul. Personally I blame Fabricio Coloccini for the goal as he left the space for Robbie Keane to ghost into although I know others blame Danny Simpson for the goal, even though he had N’Zogbia going towards the byline.
Half time: Newcastle 1-1 Aston Villa
Newcastle started the second half brightly and could have regained the lead after Shay Given uncharacteristically fumbled a Danny Guthrie cross although both Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse were unable to capitalise.
Gabriel Obertan once again showed signs of improvement and went close, well sort of, after working his way into the box although he sliced his effort wide. Perhaps the most guilt-edged chance fell the way of our new number nine though who headed over after a cute Danny Guthrie cross.
However the debutant wasn’t to be denied and made his mark on proceedings in the 71st minute after controlling a Jonas Gutierrez cross with his chest and smashing an unstoppable volley past the hapless Shay Given to open his Newcastle account in style.
James Perch sent a long range effort just wide whilst Cisse had another volleyed attempt blocked by the Aston Villa defence. Villa weren’t out of it though and went close to scoring an equaliser through both Gary Gardner and Clark although nothing was to come of it in the end leaving Newcastle sitting pretty in 5th place.
Full time: Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa
I have a few final thoughts after this game. The first one being the budding partnership between Ba and Cisse. Granted they have played together before, but there were signs today that they know how each other plays and they went close to cleverly linking up several times. With time that link will get better.
In terms of performance, it wasn’t great once again but then it’s worth bearing in mind that neither of our first choice central midfield pairing played. Yohan Cabaye was suspended and with Cheik Tiote still at ACoN with Ivory Coast we were missing two big players in the middle of the park.
The thing is, we keep on getting the job done and when you look at our league position you have to wonder if our performances are better than what some fans give them credit for? Yes we could play more fluid football, but I’d rather be dogged and determined and win than play tippy-tappy stuff and get beat. Of course there is a middle ground, but remember we have key players missing.
Finally, Gabriel Obertan. He impressed me once again today. He didn’t find the back of the net on this occasion but he did look more threatening and looked to take on the defender rather than passing backwards to the nearest available black and white shirt. His defensive work should also be noted. He tracked back and helped out Danny Simpson numerous and generally put himself about whilst also providing an outlet with his pace.
Oh and another thing, thanks to Big Dave for stepping in and bailing me out of the poo-poo by publishing the team news. You see, he can spell…
Howay the lads!
Newcastle: Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Ryan Taylor, James Perch, Danny Guthrie, Jonas Gutierrez; Leon Best, Demba Ba
Subs: Rob Elliot, Shane Ferguson, Dan Gosling, Gabriel Obertan, Hatem Ben Arfa, Shola Ameobi, Papiss Cisse
Aston Villa: Shay Given; Richard Dunne, Carlos Cuellar, Stephen Warnock, Alan Hutton; Stiliyan Petrov, Ciaran Clark, Charles N’Zogbia, Stephen Ireland; Robbie Keane, Darren Bent,
Subs: Brad Guzan, Emile Heskey, Eric Lichaj, Nathan Baker, Barry Bannan, Andreas Weimann, Gary Gardner
Attendance: 48,569
Cheeses wept! I’m pissed just heading back from the toon for my Sunday dinner. Been drinking since 11.30am and am I happy?
I can’t believe the heights this team is hitting .
I’m sure Jabba, Pardew and you can’t either!
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Just got back from the match! 😆
I just love beating the Villa scum. Can’t stand them and when I had the perfect angle from my seat to watch Cisse’s wonder goal it just made my day.
Before the “who’s you next Messiah” bollox a couple of seasons ago I really couldn’t care less about them but now I really revel in their misfortune.
They must have had 200 at most travelling supports with them today and their “support” was non-existant.
Bring on match of the day. What a mint result. Hmm, Cisse or Ba on the back of my next shirt?
I might get both names, its not many letters is it! 😆
GeordieDan(Quote)
Actually what about: Dembax2 ? 😆
GeordieDan(Quote)
Why should there be reason to find fault with anyone in particular for their goal. It just seems to reek of “let’s have a go at one of our players – after all Shola isn’t playing”. It is just not necessary. My impression of the goal was that Gutti who otherwise had a very good game lost possession (unnecessarily) which turned our defence. The pace of Zog and the quick accurate cross was just too much for our defence to cope with in that moment. Sometimes you have to give credit to the attacking players for opening up a defence.
Tony Toon(Quote)
I think we should buy every striker in Senegal… 😆
Seriously though, would be well worth keeping tabs on them, they got some very good young strikers coming through. There midfield and defence is pap though…
JJ(Quote)
Yes, true, but when the defence, in this instance Colo, run to mark a man who is already pretty much shackled leaving a striker unmarked ghosting into the same area the he was standing in seconds before, then it becomes a mistake which someone is culpable for 🙂
Or shall we never ever say anyone makes mistake ever again?
If it had been Perch it would have been mentioned several times now 😉
toonsy(Quote)
Tony Toon,
I said earlier, if anything, Jonas and Colo were at fault, but it was more good play from Villa for their goal. And no team would ever concede unless there was some kind of defensive error. So they are inevitable even from the best players.
Disagree about Jonas though. On the whole I didn’t think he was himself today and he only really came alive after the second goal.
I honestly think he needs a rest. He puts in a lot of graft…
JJ(Quote)
Geordie Dan – Just get Demba on the back, then you’re covered for every eventuality 😉
toonsy(Quote)
We weren’t at our best today but we still managed to come away with all three points. That is a sign of a top side, even when they have pressure put on them from another side they don’t capitulate.
A Newcastle side a few years ago may have done that, the team have a lot of backbone this year and this was formed during last season as well.
Every team makes their mistakes, but we rose up and managed to come away with the victory. Villa look like a side who have the quality to do well but never do. Reminds me of us in relegation season
Toonsy- There’s an article in drafts for you 😀
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
i think we did well, although if you read mcleish’s report on their website.. we were never at the races and they deserved at least a draw if not the win. I have been thinking about this newcastle team and how we get these wins. The truth is, it just cant be continued luck, match after match. it does not work out that way, the law of averages would prevent it from going that way time after time. I think something else.. i think its the signs of a very good team.. a challenging for top of table team… a team of winners. We see it year in and year out with the manures, liverpools and chelseas.. they have their green patches when they are amazing and then they play **** but they dont loose.. its cos they know how to win ugly, how to keep on winning and even when they are not playing in a green patch they still win games. The sum total of the sheer grit and single minded determination of the team means they will never give up or say die, and they will give everything for the cause cos they know that sooner or later that green patch will come back again. i think we have that mentality in our dressing room.
craig chisholm(Quote)
JJ – Sow maybe? Now that would be a frontline. 😯
GeordieDan(Quote)
Toonsy good read lad,
TonyToon if we praise the players for getting things right then is it not fair enough to mention mistakes otherwise it would be a pretty onesided report and a pretty boring report ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
Toonsy>
Genius 😉 (That’ll save me a couple of quid)
You could almost buy a 1/4 of a StJames’ Park hotdog for that ! 😯
GeordieDan(Quote)
Perch had a class game today – that maybe because i don’t rate villa’s midfield though 😆
Nobby(Quote)
@4 – Fair enough. It was a decent move and we won, so there is nothing to dwell on 😀
JJ – Guti was not on top form, agreed – But he still had a decent game in my opinion – and the way 39 just came out and automatically dismissed his assist is hilarious – as he only see’s anything through Benny tinted glasses.
Toonsy – We know you are the oracle aready mate 😆 It was me and HBA39 having ‘words’, when he came out and basically assumed I have never played football and he is the font of all knowlege because he has played at semi-pro level wherever he comes from. Even when I pointed out that means nothing, as there are some right **** managers out there who have played at the very top. When I told him I have played at semi-pro too, not that it means anything – he basically just said he still knows more than me. In fact he is sure of it! Haha just a p@ssing into the wind contest really.
I’m not in the ‘Benny is God’ club, so I obviously know nothing about the game. 😆
Shamrock(Quote)
Stadium food 👿
Not only is it expensive and tastes like ****, it also makes me poo violently. Summit aint right with those burgers!
toonsy(Quote)
we may not play the best football but its a darn sight better than what Villa have been playing most of the season…or others around us including the scum, norwich and liverpool imo.
I thought Willo did well today, made some strong tackles and really helped keep our area clear when the crosses were bombing in during the last 20 mins. Colo was, as mentioned, largely at fault for the goal, although Jonas did lose the ball initially and was largely disappointing. Otherwise, a good effort from all the lads even if it wasn’t the most stellar performance. Great goals and good saves, I’m happy with that 😀
Newkie(Quote)
while forwards nearly always get the credit (two fantastic goals by the way )on this occasion tim krul deserves the credit for the saves he made to keep it 0-0 before demba scored and without colo the back four would have been pulled about even more than we were must mention perch who i thought had a decent game playing out of position great result and cabaye and tiote to come back
poolietoon(Quote)
@ Craig.
When Sir Bobby was in charge he used to say the team needed to learn to win by one goal.
I know it wasn’t one nil today but the fact is this team is the first NUFC team in my memory who love to defend, they relish it. Everyone works hard, everyone defends, no one hides – that’s why we win ugly. This is what all the better sides do – Man u(re) consistently work harder than any team in the league.
We are starting to match that now, and when you add in some quality…
I was so excited to see our new strike force!
Still pity the mancs couldn’t beat Chelski for us.
Beefburger(Quote)
I agree with Craig at 10 😯
Sadly it’s not enough for some fans. We should be sweeping everyone away and winning ugly is not permitted 🙄
toonsy(Quote)
tis funny that Jonas gets so much stick lately but McLeish says that Jonas should be an example to his players and others and take it as inspiration or the game will flash by them.
High praise for Jonas from a Prem manager and decent player thats knows about the game.
As i’ve said loads of times I think some people watch to see what he doesn’t do, rather than watching what he does do.
He didn’t have his best game but he kept Villa busy enough
Big Dave(Quote)
Also we’re surely playing better footie than we were this time last year? Hoofball for carroll headers and knockdown for Nolan poaching….but it was still fun right? Most of our goals bar Barton’s against Villa last year were pretty standard, but who didn’t love that match ey?
Now we’re an improved side, and playing even better footie-certainly with better goals.
Sometimes people get too obsessed with passing stats, just the same as they get obsessed with 4-3-3 in an effort to emulate Barca or their favourite Football Manager formations-at the end of the day solid defensive work can be (almost) as entertaining as free scoring football…..ahem 😆
Newkie(Quote)
DAVE spot on mate 100% grafter,that will do for me
icedog(Quote)
Big Dave-agreed, he wasn’t shocking by any means. A little silly on some occasions as all our players were, but his workrate was still pretty immense.
Newkie(Quote)
In fairness today I thought Perch did well. He did everything he was meant to do, bat give the ball away a couple of times, but in fairness so did everybody else in the first half.
Obertan finally started putting crosses into the box and he looked so much more dangerous by
doing that. He gave Warnock a torrid second
half.
Looking forward to seeing us play with confidence when Cabaye and Tiote play. Plus we’ll have Marvuaex back at the end of Feb.
Will we finish 4th? I doubt it but top 7 must surely be ours…?
Stuart79(Quote)
Ice I love a grafter mate aslong as a player gives 100% I will back them, my one weakness is a Benny type player that adds the excitment knowing that at anytime he can chage a game, like Ginola and Robert, but I accept the downside that they will not always give 100% and don’t really like to get stuck in.
But you need to have a real strong team and one that doesn’t mind taking the extra load that that leaves them.
Big Dave(Quote)
Stu yeah agreed Perch done well and it looks like he is a decent back up DM to Tiote, Guthrie is another player that is performing well and is a pretty good cover for Cabaye.
The problem for him is does Cabaye just walk back into the team ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
For me, Danny Guthrie was my man of the match. He had an excellent game, wasn’t afraid to tackle, moved the ball up the field very well. Put in some brilliant crosses with the right amount of pace on them. He was very solid and really impressed me with his play today
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
Zoe great minds 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Dave ahahaha 😉
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
Big Dave – A good question regarding Cabaye/Guthrie. The Englishman is really starting to step up this season, be a shame to lose him. Where’s his new contract?!
Got to say, Perch looks a different person from Defensive Midfield. He’s just not good enough as a defender, but further up the pitch he fits in well. Good on him, could be a future here for him after all. 😯
The more I think about it, we had a lot of players today who put in a good performance – It just did not feel like it for a while because Villa played so well.
It was a good game against a good side, with a good result to boot. I’m proud of the lads for today. God help us when Willo or Colo get injured though 😥 Kadar’s omission from the bench spoke volumes about how much faith Pards has in him.
Shamrock(Quote)
ZOE VICARAGE @9 – Spot on! My feelings exactly.
Gary Watson(Quote)
Dave @26
I disagree mate. Being gifted like Benny is no excuse for being lazy.
Look at the talent in the Barcelona team, players like Messi, Xavi Iniesta, Pedro, Sanchez. All of whom have learned to graft hard for the team.
What makes Benny so special that he doesn’t have to?
JJ(Quote)
TOONSY @16 – DISAGREE! mag-pies are amazing!!
Gary Watson(Quote)
SHAMROCK dont forget its not a one off from villa,they are better away team than home one this yr they are one of the better epl teams away from home
icedog(Quote)
SHAMROCK @31 – If Kadar isn’t good enough then I have more than enough faith in Paul Dummett. Anyway, stop assuming that Colo or Williamson will be injured, you’re dampening my flame!!!
Gary Watson(Quote)
Gary @32 – nice to hear that someone agrees.
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
I’d still have to say Cabaye would come into the team in place of Guthrie, after Tiote is back anyway. I can’t see how we accommodate him unless we change formation, again. He has played well, but Cabaye has that extra bit of class, in the pass, the shot, free kicks and the tackle, and overall vision. He’s not far and above ahead of Guthrie, but he does edge him on pretty much all the aspects required of a centre mid.
Newkie(Quote)
JJ @33 – I would definitely agree with that! However, I wouldn’t say that Benny is lazy, He does get back, he’s just not got the ability to ever be really effective in a challenge. He’ll learn how to over time, though.
Gary Watson(Quote)
Gary – Fair point, I’ll stop worrying, but still think it’s a huge gamble that could derail us. Anyhoo, we can save that coversation for another day.
Well done Toon, good result and played some good footy. 😀
Shamrock(Quote)
JJ your entitiled to disagree but to compare it to Barca is a bit ott.
IMO Ginola and Robert were both gifted players and I think we were a better team and more exciting because of them, well imo Benny is the same.
But not once did I say that Benny doesn’t have to graft, if you read what I said I said you won’t always get 100% from him and that they dont LIKE to get stuck in. ❓
Big Dave(Quote)
sorry guthrie could not lace cabayes boots most foriegners take a while to adapt to the pace of the premiership not cabaye he has adapted very well and next season he will be even better his passing and eye for a goal are genius guthrie has been here a while now some of his decision making is poor like when he had a shot today he should of passed out wide 😯
poolietoon(Quote)
Guthrie is good, Cabaye is quality. It’s harsh that Danny is likely to lose his place, but that’s just how it is in football. In my opinion, Cabaye and Tiote aren’t far from being the best CM partnership in the Prem.
Now that’s something I never thought I’d be saying about two Toon players this season!
Gary Watson(Quote)
Well Cabaye is due back for the Wolves game isn’t he? Anyone know when Tiote is back? I would then drop Perch and play Guthrie even if Tiote is back. He’s played a lot in the Africa Cup of Nations, so he might find himself a bit knackered, he was fit enough then I would play him but if not I would stick with Guthrie.
There is another option though, perhaps he could move out to the right-wing as it seems as if Raylor may be out for a while. Today he showed that he can put very good balls into the box. Would anyone try him in that position?
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
SHAMROCK – It is indeed, but the gamble might just pay off and the club may end up better off as a result. Only time will tell.
Anyway, like you say, welll done the lads for today. I’ll be happy if we can keep this up and put Mark Lawrenson in his place. Oh how I despise that man!!!
Gary Watson(Quote)
Big Dave
That’s exactly it. I don’t believe there is any excuse for a players ability to stop him giving 100%.
It’s why Berbatov doesn’t get many starts at Man U. And its why Benny won’t get many starts here.
He doesn’t need to be a demon in the challenge. As long as he’s putting pressure on the opposition when there’re in possession.
I think he’ll come good thougth. But he needs some improvement.
JJ(Quote)
sorry zoe i wouldnt his got no pace obertan not the greatest player but is a good outlet especially a way from home plus we have no game after spurs so tiote can have a week off 😀
poolietoon(Quote)
Newkie @ 38 but does that not sent the wrong signal to Guthrie that he can step in when needed and do a fine job but as soon as Cabaye is back thats him back on the bench again ? I thought Pards was the type that if you get the chance and grab the shirt with both hands then the shirt is yours unless you loss it ?
I am not saying that Cabaye shouldn’t get back in im just playing devils advocate
Big Dave(Quote)
ZOE VICARAGE – Guthrie goes missing when out wide. He’s played there a few times in the past and I hope to God they don’t try that again. Also, I think the ACON final is on the 12th, so if Ivory Coast go all the way then I’d imagine Tiote will be back for the Wolves game and fully fit by the time it comes around as it’s not until the 25th.
Gary Watson(Quote)
Big Dave
It’s a nice problem to have though isn’t it?
JJ(Quote)
GARY- Well it will be interesting to see what happens then, gives Pardew a bit of a headache then. Its nice to see that there is a lot of competition in the ranks of the team.
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
JJ he is not the only player that doesn’t always give 100% 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
agree with that about guthrie on the right, I understand why you would want to keep him in the team even when tiote and cabaye are fit because he has been outstanding but he cant play out wide. I remember watching him play out wide even in the championship and hes just not the same player.
Instructatoon(Quote)
Ruddy good performance really…still missing the heart of our midfield …. I hate to say it but all the players who we had all written off ie raylor and perch have been very good.
Says alot about pards management skills…….. ❓
Done a superb joy I have to say
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Zoe Guthrie is not suited to the RW and doesn’t like out there 😥
JJ @ 50 yeah it is a good problem to have
Big Dave(Quote)
One good thing about a tough game at Spurs is all our rivals have tough games too..
Bin Dippers take on Man U, **** take on Scum, and Chelskei travel to Everton.
JJ(Quote)
Big Dave-Maybe it does, but then I’m a firm believer than you need your best 11 on the pitch. There’s also the fact that Danny has been playing a fair amount lately whereas Cabaye will be well rested and ready to get back in and do a job. Its tough on the lad, but its up to Pards to convince him to play his part, and its one of the main jobs of top managers-they convince the quality players to hang around and play their part, despite the fact they may not get as much game time as they wish.
Guthrie has been solid, but I haven’t seen enough from him to convince me he’s better than Cabaye-if he does that he can have the shirt for as long as he likes 😉
Alternatively, if we switch to 4-3-3 with Guthrie Cabaye and Tiote in the centre with Ba, Cisse and Arfa/obertan/jonas maybe he can be fitted in, but only then with the loss of the two wingers….someone has to loose out.
Newkie(Quote)
Btw obertan IMO did really well today
Liam Southern Toon(Quote)
Dave – No worries, was only an idea.
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
For me, no other formation than 4-4-2 will suit us. Our wide men are crucial to us in the way that we defend and having both Ba and Cisse on the pitch upfront will now become essential to us too. Therefore 4-3-3 and 4-3-1-2 are out of the question. That’s just my opinion, though.
Gary Watson(Quote)
Yeah I think I agree Gary, 4-4-2 seems to be the formation that most suits Ba, and at the minute that’s all that matters. It’s why Best and Shola were picked above Barfa, because it should be all about Ba playing his best.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Zoe I would like to see Obertan getting another run at RW
Big Dave(Quote)
Generally Gary, I think you are right re: the formation. However, there will be times when we need to change our approach for particular games or when we are losing etc… One size does not fit all and it’s nice to know that we have the options to be able to adapt like that should we need to.
But yes, our main formation should definitely be 4-4-2. 😀
Shamrock(Quote)
The whole Ben Arfa situation is really sad, at the minute, unless he trains incredibly hard to adapt his game, i’m not sure how he fits into our future.
It’s extremely brave for Pardew to play people like Shola, Perch, Raylor and Obertan ahead of him and yet he is. And i think for good reason.
As good as Ben Arfa is, i don’t think we should be building a team around him, and he doesn’t seem to fit into a 4-4-2.
It’s amazing that most of this season has been without playing our arguably most talented player.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Shamrock I reckon you should do an article looking at our premiership point talleys in the 00’s, or the premier league era.
Have you looked into it at all in the past? It makes for some pretty exciting reading, and really shows just how far we have come.
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Dave: I would as well, he did some good stuff today. Over time he will get better and he was showing signs of that in the match. He has pace which is very good.
Was it me but did Gutierrez have a quiet game up until he put the cross in for Cisse’s goal? Didn’t seem his usual self
Zoë Vicarage(Quote)
is pardew setting the fans up for HBA to be sold in the summer 😆
poolietoon(Quote)
59 points would be our best total in 9 years 😯
SolanosTrumpet(Quote)
Solano, not a bad idea mate. We have a history of peaks and troughs in this league – maybe we are on the verge of the latest peak? I’ll sort something out after the Spurs game 😀
Shamrock(Quote)
was jabba at the game today??
icedog(Quote)
In respect of our defence problem – could we “do a Barcelona”?
Barcelona moved Mascherano into centre back to cover and he has become so comfortable, he is almost a permanent player in that slot now.
Could we move Tiote there and let Perch play that DM role or is that a bad idea? Just think Tiote is a cleaner winner of the ball while Perch’s rough style seems to work well in the centre.
Just thought if push comes to shove and we don’t trust Kadar, it would be better than trying to fit Perch in there and letting him struggle again.
funkyjesus(Quote)
funky@71 noooooooooooooooo 👿
poolietoon(Quote)
Funky-I seem to remember Chelsea pulling that a fair few years ago with Essien I think….I’d thought about it as well, but I think Tiote is possibly too rash to tackle well in the penalty box…not that Perch is amazing himself of course.
Thing is Tiote contributes real energy and determination going forward as well, whereas Perch’s game is more suited to winning the ball and passing it fairly simply, without lung busting runs and the like.
Newkie(Quote)
I’d prefer we play Kadar but I just thought Tiote may adapt to that position for the rest of the season better than Perch. I think Tiote is better than Mascherano so if he can…….
Why don’t we look at some free transfer defenders anyway? If we want to fill the last few months, it would be more ideal than Perch, who I think has made a claim as Tiote’s back up while Guthrie is Cabaye’s back up.
funkyjesus(Quote)
Funkyjesus
You can get away with it in Spain because they play a more technical game with the ball on the ground. Nothing like the Premier League. It’s chalk and cheese.
JJ(Quote)