Defensive crisis looms large

toonsy

Simpson out for three to four weeks
Well it was always going to happen wasn’t it? Mind you, even I’m surprised with how quickly this one has come round to bite us on the behind.

I am of course referring to our spate of defensive injuries which have decided to make an appearance, just days after the closure of the transfer window when nothing can actually be done about it.

Of course the counter-argument regarding the lack of defensive depth is that something should have been done about it whilst the window was open. I know that, you know that, I think we all know that, but it wasn’t and now we are faced with the situation we now find ourselves in.

That situation includes a lengthly lay-off for Ryan Taylor who has done some damage to his Achilles and is out for a case of months rather than weeks. Now we have an injury to Danny Simpson to contend with along with an injury to Fabricio Coloccini to consider. Simpson is likely to be out for a month whilst the seriousness of Captain Colo’s injury is as yet unknown although the fact that Argentina haven’t sent him home fills me with a small piece of hope.

As we all know injuries are part and parcel of the game, but it’s just Newcastle United’s luck that they all happen at once in a position where we should have been looking to add numbers over the summer regardless. Still it is what it is and now we have to hope the squad can cope with these absentees.

Realistically it is only the injuries to Coloccini and Simpson that should cause the most concern. Ryan Taylor is a valuable squad player of course, but the other two are two of our regular starting back four which is what we need to patch up before heading to Everton next weekend.

Amazingly we are still alright, just. Mike Williamson will come in (and more than likely be the scapegoat for EVERYTHING that goes wrong) for Coloccini whilst I’d imagine that Vurnon Anita will fill in for Simpson, especially with Cheik Tiote hoping to be fit for the game at Goodison a week on Monday.

We can get by, just, but if someone else gets injured in defence we are screwed. Of course it’s just something that must be dealt with, but I can’t help but feeling that all of this could have been averted had we added another defender over the summer.

Onwards, upwards and all that…

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.

View all posts by toonsy →

You may like these posts

114 thoughts on “Defensive crisis looms large”

  1. I thought Anita looked very good when slotting in at RB, much better than Simpson has been the last couple of games. I think Simmo is a good RB but I have my reservations about him. Williamson is also a good player to come into the squad, at times he can look frail but at other times he plays well. He’s one of those players who’s form fluctuates during each match.

    As you’ve said Toonsy, I think this issue should’ve been addressed during the transfer window. I expected another CB to be signed but instead we missed out on Douglas and then seemingly didn’t have any other CB targets we were after.

    Hopefully the injury to Colo isn’t too serious.

      (Quote)

  2. Toonsy I agree with 99% of what you say but I don’t agree with Willo being the scapgoat that suggest that he wrongly takes the blame, imo he has got of lightly because if it was Simmo or Saylor they would have got hammered. So I don’t buy the scapgoat tag maybe just a goat 😀 .
    But as you say we should have strengthened when we had the chance but Jabba and Co said no.

      (Quote)

  3. …at least we’re top of the table again 😎 :

    http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

    🙁

    …as Dave said on the last thread, at least the (hopefully) shorter term injuries have happened now with the two week break (from last weekend).

    Yeah, as you say Toonsy, it was obvious this was gona happen, I just never expected us to be dropping like flies so early on. It makes me (and I’m sure a few others) more pissed off at our lack of defensive cover signings. But as you say, Anita can fill in at full back for now, and having Tiote back should ease off a bit of pressure.

    It does highlight how thin (on seniors) we are. It’s just about manageable at the moment, but if our current crop of crocks were set for longer lay-offs we’d be in deep ****, IMO.

      (Quote)

  4. …well pleased we held onto Tiote anyway, we miss him. I just hope he stays injury-free for the rest of the season once he’s back in our starting 11.

      (Quote)

  5. Agree we will just about get by , but I would fear another injury in our defensive ranks and we will be in trouble. I think Perch is back in contention for Everton as well. With the game on Mon night giving us 2 more days hopefully we have Colo fit. If we have Tiote back fit be no harm dropping Anita back to full back but if Tiote is out keep Anita in midfield and bring in perch as full back

      (Quote)

  6. Being able to handle 3 defensive injuries shows that we have pretty decent cover there. I don’t rate Willo but he can fill in for a game or two. Anita will do just fine on the right, or Perchy for that matter if Anita is needed at DM. Perch could always be used at CB with Staylor if Tiote is fit.

      (Quote)

  7. We are a bit threadbare at the back but trying to sign good players as back up probably was beyond us. Would M’biwa (my choice) or Douglas want to come to be 3rd placed or just back up. Doubt it.
    Anita looked good to me at RB, a step up from Simpson, then there’s Perch and Tav as backups with Simpson and Williamson (rag doll) further down the line.
    On reflection I’m cheering myself up here. If Colo and or Taylor are out we’re screwed.

      (Quote)

  8. Its a chance for the lads in the reserves to step up – unless they’re just ornaments.

      (Quote)

  12. We could play Santon as RB and bring in Ferguson as LB , when you think of all the options we do have , we are that short of numbers really . Would still of liked at least 1 more CB though .

      (Quote)

  13. It’s time for our younger players to stand up and forge a place in our first team if given a go.. We have defenders waiting for their chance and now may be their time. I’m excited to see how they will go tbh. We might see a gem or two uncovered….. 🙂

      (Quote)

  15. ……………………….. Krul……………………
    Anita…….. Taylor……….Williamson……Santon…
    …………. ………Tiote………Jonas…………………
    ……….Ben Arfa….Cabaye……marvaux………………….
    ……………………………Cisse……………………………..

    * Bigi if Tiote’s not fit
    * Anita and Santon can provide the width
    * Ben Arfa, cabaye and marvaux can give the ball to Cisse (in the box !!!)
    * the above three can score themselves..
    * the back 7 can handle the defensive side of things.
    * Ba can come on when Cisse is knackered or vice versa

      (Quote)

  16. …although that’s a bit of a bone of contention amongst Toon fans, Johno, I tend to agree. I would like to see him used as a winger though, as I’d like to see Jonas at full back more.

      (Quote)

  17. Young Fergie has played plenty of times in the first team at full back. I can think of very few times that he has been shown up as weak during those occasions… Gutierrez has played numerous times at full back for his Country. If he can do it for them, he can do it for us. Full back does not worry me, but central defence could maybe be stronger. We will be fine with short term injuries to Colo and Saylor, but long term MAY be an issue, not thT it stopped us or Willo last season….

      (Quote)

  19. Yeah Ice that Cole is one fat **** 🙂

    Only joking , no I dont think Shane has the upper body strength ( yet ) to be a full back. No reason he cant build that up. But I think at the moment he is a winger and that is where he should play

      (Quote)

  20. Rodz @ 10 – if young Haris is made of china then maybe a loan spell in the Potteries would be a good move for him 😉

    If nothing else, at least he’d be able to spend a bit of quality time in the physio room with Michael Owen (who would be able to give him some valuable advice on how to pursue a successful career in football, without the inconvenience of having to spend too much time on the pitch).

      (Quote)

  22. Well its being heavily reported here that Van Gaal is going to pick Krul ahead of Stekelenburg tonight for the Dutch against Turkey . Apparently based on the last training session they had today .

      (Quote)

  24. MDS yes . Van Gaal is going to pick a very young side by the looks of things apparently the only international experienced defender in front of Krul is Heitinga . Its going to be a game worth watching plenty of players unknown outside of Holland .

      (Quote)

  26. I’ve heard that the argies still think colo might be in contention for their match on tuesday so he might be ok for everton, which is actually a monday night game. Great for replenishing energy, terrible for fans that want to see them play.

      (Quote)

  27. quick question lads(and ladettes) who are out there
    Should Newcastle been drawn agaist a team in Scotland if/when we get past the group stages of europa, would I be able to get a ticket to the away game even if I wasn’t a member?

      (Quote)

  30. Cheers Axel- I lived over there for a brief spell back in the 90s and used to follow the dutch team closely. Sorry to say I’ve lost track of them a bit

      (Quote)

  34. Cheers Axel, is he elligible to play for holland yet?
    Norcal
    Its ok, so long as your there 😉 , thought all the adults had disappeared like in this **** book I’m reading with the rather unimaginative title of ‘gone’.

      (Quote)

  35. andymag says:
    September 7, 2012 at 16:29
    I’ve heard that the argies still think colo might be in contention for their match on tuesday so he might be ok for everton, which is actually a monday night game. Great for replenishing energy, terrible for fans that want to see them play.
    —————

    I read that. He’s out for today but will have another fitness test on Monday- they have a qualifier with Peru on Tuesday….

      (Quote)

  38. I hope Argentina don’t play Colo too soon and cause him to aggravate his thigh again 🙄 .We can ill afford to lose any more defenders ,speaking of which ,glad you wrote this artical Toonsy . As you said we could all see this happening and wether it’s now or 2, 6 or 9 months into the season it has the same effect ,it puts pressure on the team that needn’t be there had we just got a cb in. Well I won’t harp on as it’s all been said befor ,we just have to hope our fringe players and youngsters can step up and make a mark on the team . As has been said it could be an ill wind that brings good fortune in a surprise gem within our ranks. 😉

    Andy ,Can’t tell you wether you can get a ticket or not but just ring the club and ask how ticket allocation is done in such a situation.

      (Quote)

  44. ANDYMAG i think if Holland get off to a flier then it will be a while before he gets picked . Van Gaal does not chop and change a winning team and it also depends if his face fits with Van Gaal . Van Gaal runs his teams like a school teacher and makes profiles of all the players if a players profile does not tick the right boxes there out .

      (Quote)

  46. Andy ,no I live in Bristol .My brother gets tickets for Reading games as the rep for their sponsers comes in his club. If reading are playing anyone decent he gets tickets off him .My brother isn’t a reading fan but when they were in the Championship he’d get comp tickets for when they played Bristol city. As he knows I’m Newcastle nuts he got some tickets for me ,him and I think his neighbour too who’s a geordie 😀 He’ll get them again when they play Arsenal as his son is a gunners fan poor soul. 😆 Anyway I can’t wait and just hope Lewis stays well so I can go.

      (Quote)

  48. Andy,me too. 😉

    Re ,Van Gaal ,he was with Bayern Munich befor Holland job ,this is his second stint in the job. He’s managed a lot of good teams including Barca and Ajax.

      (Quote)

  49. Andymag i am surprised you havent heard of him ,he has won everything there is to win at club level . made his name early 90’s with Ajax winning the CL with them has gone on too coach Barcelona Az Alkmaar won the eredivisie with them about 5 seasons ago his last job was Bayern Munich and this is his second spel as Dutch national team boss . He screwed it up first time round not getting them through the qualifying rounds .

      (Quote)

  50. andymag
    September 7, 2012 at 17:42

    Axel
    I haven’t heard of holland’s new manager, what’s he like?

    😯 😯 😯

      (Quote)

  52. Toonsy – Perchino has not been mentioned yet either who has of course provided FB and CB last season and already this season in Europa before getting injured himself. I’m not sure how long he’s out like.
    I think the international break has come at a relatively good time for us though as it gives us 2 weeks without games to get them closer to fitness.
    I think Jonas and Fergie could provide cover at FB if push came to shove. Another option if things got really tight would be to play Santon CB if we were really struggling.

    It is ridiculous that nothing was done in the window tho, particularly as Pardew said they were going to sit down and discussion it after Raylor got injured and they obviously decided against it. I can imagine that was Pardews call to be fair like. But still, fit options would be:

    CB – Saylor, Williamson, Tav, Good, Santon.

    FB – Santon, Tav, Anita, Fergie, Jonas .

    We should scrap by with those til at least Pearch, Colo and Simmo are back … provided we get no more injuries that is 🙄

      (Quote)

  53. Andy mag as our north of the border toon reporter,ithought you would be watching the reserves play Berwick Rangers. we also have an un named trialist striker playing, you could give us the low down on him.

      (Quote)

  54. In the states they call this locking the barn door after the horse has bolted. It’s a bit late now to show worry about the defense Derek. Maybe you should have been doing your job in the summer? Just a thought. One more defensive injury will leave us in a huge hole. You can’t build a decent squad by only bringing in midfielders time after time. A bizarre transfer policy. Bringing in 1 promising youngster at CB (Good) is ridiculous when we have at least 6 promising young midfielders. I would love to attend a board meeting and have them explain this policy. Even if you count Dummett we only have 2 decent young CB prospects. Somebody bring a big stick to the board meeting and try to get Derek’s attention for a couple of minutes. Catch him before the hard drinking starts for best eftect.

      (Quote)

  56. I keep reading comments about us signing 3rd choice players and I’ll be honest – I don’t understand that mentality :???:. I mean, surely players like Douglas and Yanga or Carroll up front had we signed them, would have been competion for there respective position?!.
    Surely the players in form will be selected rather than playing second fiddle just coz they are new to the squad … or have I just got that wrong?!

      (Quote)

  57. Sharpy@56 ,Agree with that ,they should be seen as competition and first teamers first and foremost not back ups or 3rd choice .If other players know another is breathing down their neck it keeps them competitive imo.

      (Quote)

  58. Sharpy @ 56 spot on Lad I don’t buy the 3rd and 4th player stuff, if we buy a player he should be able to fight it out for the starting spot, and not just a case of buying a bench player, thats what the younguns are for they should be pushing on to be bench players, but I fell they need to go and get proper footie on loan then they will have a bit of experience.
    Kim I said the exact same a few times if the 1st team player doesn’t have proper competition they don’t have to push themselves because they feel safe that no matter how **** they play they will still be starting the next week

      (Quote)

  59. G2 – I’d say we have 3 young CB on our books (as I’d class Tav as a FB mainly). Dummett, Good and Satka. Dummett is out on loan and is a bit like Peter Ramage for me, in the sense he isn’t a bad player but don’t really see him challenging for a 1st team place. Good is still very new to the club and Country and must be being eased in or I’d have thought he’d had been involved in the squads against the Greeks. I’m sure he could come good but still too early. Satka looks a very promising player and I wouldn’t be surprised to be in our back 4 one day as he looks very competent – but at 16 he has alot of developing to do.
    I’ve just realized I forgot about Remi Street aswell but again at only 17, still has a way to go before he’d be considered for the 1st team.

      (Quote)

  60. Good points Sharpy17. Another 2 youngsters but very young indeed. I think Satka is 17? Making do at CB when you finish 5th is just bizarre to me. We have 2 decent senior CB’s and 1 so-so sub (Willo). What other club near the top runs as thin as this? It just defies belief after several years of the same problem going unaddressed. It is clearly a concern for Pardew as he spoke of it repeatedly last winter. Is there no communication between Pardew and Llambias at all? Surely we have reached a point where some of the younger midfielders need to play or leave. I’m thinking mainly of Gosling and Vuckic (I think Vuckic is actually injured again, what a surprise). I hope we see a lot of both players in Europe and cup games. This should be a make or break year for both of them. Don’t know what to think of Abeid. The club mention him a lot but he has had very few appearances other than the reserve team so to me it means he is not good enough. Ferguson seems to be on the fringe as well and will he ever be fully involved in the senior team? It seems Bigirimana has jumped ahead of several players, and now Anita is in there as well. It seems like time to thin out the midfielders and bring in an experienced CB to me. I haven’t even mentioned Sammy Ameobi vs Obertan on the right wing. To me neither are good enough.

      (Quote)

  61. GEORDIETWO > ” We have 2 decent senior CB’s and 1 so-so sub (Willo). What other club near the top runs as thin as this?”
    well Jabba and Co seem to be happy enough with it as does a brave few of the bloggers on here, but I think it’s a total disgrace that we still only have 1 back up CB at the club

      (Quote)

  62. Perch started at CB ahead of a fit Williamson against Spurs so you would have to say we have 2 senior back-up CBs followed by youth players. That’s probably about typical for non-CL clubs in the Prem. I don’t rate Willo either but to be fair to the guy, we did finish 5th with him as a year-long starter last year.

    Simpson has played CB for us as well, though poorly, but any club would struggle if forced to play their 5th choice CB, except maybe Man City

      (Quote)

  63. Well half time in the Holland game ,the Dutch are 1-0 up Krul has had 2 dodgy moments the first a ball that was his was knocked away by one of his defenders and nearly ended up in the net . The second he did not get too a cross when under pressure from the CF apart from that he’s doing ok in his first competitive game for Holland .

      (Quote)

  67. MDS IMO Perch is not a prem CB but a decent utility player but I would rather see him play MF or as a FB but im not that keen on him as a CB, but thats bye the bye, neither Willo or Perch would battle it out with our 2 CBs for a 1st team place, which is the point im trying to make 😉

      (Quote)

  68. Toonsy, Axel & Kim
    😳 it seems silly that I hadn’t heard of him now 😕 in my defence I wasn’t born when he was in his prime.
    Paul
    Thats third division stuff, and a bit too far south for anyone up here to care. Though I go through berwick everytime I visit the toon, takes almost 2 hours to go there.

      (Quote)

  70. Dave- I don’t disagree that any new CB the club brings in should be starter quality and challenge to first team. I was disagreeing with the comments that we have abnormally little cover at CB.

    I view Perch as a defender first, which seems to be how Pards views him now, and IMO he has done a fine job whenever deployed at CB to the point that Pards started him there over Willo against Spurs…

      (Quote)

  72. I take an interest in how berwick are doing, just as I do with gateshead and hartlepool. Was pleased to see they drew 1–1 with Glasgow Rangers(now rangers fc). Don’t know whats happening in the game but I see on the club website they are showing the team. Campbell is playing, as is Good. Satka the young cb is there, aswell as an unnamed trialist and a 15 year old( 😯 could’ve been me 😥 😥 NOT 😀 ) called Adam Armstrong, dunno what position he plays but apparently he plays with england u16 and this is his first reserve match.

      (Quote)

  73. G2 – I stupidly bought into all of the paper talk that there was going to be big changes at NUFC this summer, with Ashley making something like £10m available for young players and money being invested in the first team. I know we got rid of players like Smith, Lovern, Kadar and Forster – players who were in our squad but didn’t really get any games. But we failed to get rid of players like Ranger, Xisco, Gosling and Oba – other players who in my opinion ‘clog’ our squad up. I know Guthrie wanted to leave but I wish he’d have stayed, coz the way Cabaye has started I’d be considering replacing him with Guthrie at the mo. Also, I know he’s now injured, but I’d have kept Best until we bought a better replacement, coz £3m for him is only good money if you replace him with someone better.
    I can’t understand how Pardew was saying in interviews back when we signed Cisse ‘Mike asked me when were getting a Centre Back now?’ and laughed about it! … What’s changed? Surely Good wasn’t the signing?, and with almost £7m he buys a DCM when Jonas had said today that he is being trained up to move into that spot?!, so why wasnt that money used for a CB?!, why didn’t we spend more money on coming LB,CB and CF?! …. *****, I’m off on one again! :oops:. But I don’t think I’ll ever truely understand the clubs thinking in the transfer window just gone like 👿

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *