Vurnon Anita finds himself in a strange position at Newcastle United this season. It seemed early in the season that he would be the first choice right-back and despite losing his place to DeAndre Yedlin, many still believe that Anita is the best right-back at the club.
However, Anita’s contract expires at the end of this current season, bringing us to the question: Should he stay or should he go?
This may be a discussion that splits opinion. Anita is well liked by much of the Newcastle fan base, who feel that he is calm, composed and has good abilities with his short passing and work rate.
On the other hand, though, is the argument that Anita has not made the required impact at the club in his years on Tyneside, to deserve a new deal.
This is a valid argument, Anita has been here for a long time now and while he club was in the Premier League, he failed to nail down a permanent spot in the starting line-up.
The natural counter argument to this is that under Rafa Benitez, Anita has improved tenfold and looks as though he could do a very good job in the Premier League, provided his improvement continues.
Still only 27, Anita is likely to be near the front of the queue for new contracts, whether the side are promoted or not.
Get rid, in the PL himself and Colback as a pairing were possibly the worst anchor pairing that we have ever had, they were two weak and incapable of dominating a midfield so we could push teams back and on the odd occasion that we did have the ball it looked as if passing it forward was beyond there means, yes Anita may have a pass success rate of 90%+ possibly even better, but me and my gran could pass the ball 4/5 yards sideways or backwards to find a team mate.
Too weak, not particularly quick, cannot pass forward, better than Janmaat or Haidara as at times he does tackle his opposing winger and win his tackles, but sadly he just isn’t good at any aspect of the game
Michael Robson(Quote)
He was signed as a central midfielder who could play fullback. His lack of height and not possessing great speed meant he would always struggle in that role. He should never play there again unless in an emergency.
He was always behind a specialist right back, arguably until now. Debuchy and Janmaat were very highly regarded whatever path their careers are talking now. People forget that Janmaat won player of the year and Debuchy went to a perennial Champions League club. If I remember correctly, Anita cost 6-7 million which as more than both of those players and Yedlin. He has finally found his position in the PL, he may have been a midfielder in Dutch football but never in the PL.
This is a no brainer. We need 2 right backs especially under Rafa and we have seen already this season one (Anita) be suspended. I doubt he is on a massive contract and you have to ask that under the current inflated values and salaries in the PL, how much it would cost to replace him?
He is also a very tidy player who doesn’t have a great shot but can put in a good cross. I cannot see any drawback to him competing with Yedlin and I will say again he hardly played at right back for us until Rafa.
Lastly, just about all of players have struggled under Pardew, Ugly John and Schteve and Anita played almost all of his football under that lot. Just about everybody never knew their role in the team from week to week and now they do.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I also remember people complaining about Danny Simpson and he went on to win the PL.
It could be argued that Anita hasn’t really been tested in the PL at right back. Rafa seemed comfortable though and Anita has played well this season. I just don’t see many alternatives out there.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, we are not always going to be able to play with an attacking fullback in the PL. Some of Yedlin’s best qualities are his pace and ability to get forward. He will not be able to play that style every week though.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Also, he is a Dutch International. If we don’t sign him to a new contract he can leave for free. He must be worth something, even to another Championship team. Just look at what decent players are costing even from within the same league. Hanley and Clark cost us 5 million apiece and their reputation was about the same as Anita’s.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric. Simpson didn’t win the Premier League. He was a member of a team that won the Premier League. Many Leicester fans don’t rate him. At Newcastle he used to stand off his man and allow them free crosses many resulting in goals. After Janmaat the poorest right back we have had in recent years. Anita a much underrated player because of his size. Well worth keeping in the squad.
Groucho(Quote)
My worry would be more about Anita wanting to leave because he is on a free, but I think his value to NUFC is as good as anywhere else. His reputation will have improved a bit but still cannot be that great after working for our former managers. I think Anita will want to stay as he has seen the changes Rafa has made and knows he probably will never work for a better manager in his career.
What we have suffered from in the past at right back is having marauding players who are fine in the opponent’s half but are often reckless or out of position in their own half. Yes, I am looking at you two Debuchy and Janmaat. We have also had limited or no cover so I have no idea why we would want to get rid of someone who is at a minimum capable there.
Thankfully, we have moved away from the “purples” philosophy and Rafa has convinced the powers that be that we need cover and alternatives.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Anita has done ok at RB, but if we are brutally honest is he good enough for the PL?.
He’s not the only one I’d ask that question of, there’s a few others in that squad as well.
Eric – you say he’s a Dutch international but when was the last time he played for Holland? – based on that Colback and Saylor are internationals ?.
We paid around £5-6m for Anita at the time – would anyone pay that for him now? I don’t think so personally.
I’m not hating on the lad coz I don’t dislike him – he always puts a shift in to be fair to him. But that’s not enough in the PL, and if we stand a chance with Rafa in the PL then he needs the best squad possible.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I agree with Eric, I think he should get a new deal!
Jake Swinburn(Quote)
Jake – do you think he’s good enough for the PL?.
Rumours are that we could get Delph for £6m – around the fee we paid for Anita. Which would you prefer?.
Sharpy17(Quote)
God this site is well and truly on its **** isn’t it?! – remove Eric’s posts these last 3 or 4 articles and there’s probably less than 20 posts!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy without Eric this blog would be dead but it’s international bore week. People are coming out of there coma’s. It will pick up a bit on the next game.
Stem(Quote)
England bore the **** out of football these day’s.
Stem(Quote)
The only player who’s 100 time’s worse than Anita is Siem De Jong.
Alway’s injured, paid to train and injured again.
He is a money grabbing @@@@. Him and Aaron’s are the player’s we need rid of.
Stem(Quote)
Anita actually contribute’s to the team’s cause, Siem De Jong does @@@@ all.
Stem(Quote)
Well I like Anita, he has played RB a couple of times before Rafa arrived and said back then that he’s a better RB than midfielder. He is calm on the ball and does the job of defending first and foremost . I would be keeping him, under Rafa he has looked solid and always puts a shift in.
kimtoon(Quote)
The Aarons situation is very sad, the lad is beset with injuries since joining us. Got to agree with Shams point about him losing ground and experience with all these injuries.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim I really wish the club would do pay as you play contract’s it comes to Siem De Jong. Taylor was offered it and ran a mile.
Stem(Quote)
Kim it definitely feel’s over the years that we have had to wrap certain player’s in cotton wool because of fear of injury’s. The training facility’s must be terrible at this club. Bobby Robson and Graham Souness complained about it and were just ignored.
Stem(Quote)
the thing ime a bit suss of is this case with Shelvey,he abused a Wolves player that cannot understand English his defence is the player called him a freak becauce of his problem with his hair,now how the hell could that happen if the guy cannot speak or understand English
icedog(Quote)
Has Mike Ashley invested in new training facility’s this season ? Heard they were trying and then it went silent.
Stem(Quote)
Icedog it make’s no sense to be honest mate
Stem(Quote)
Sharpy is right to question whether a player is good enough for the Premier League because that is what we should be planning for. However apart from a few teams at the top most Premiership teams are mainly filled with good squad players who may occasionally be outstanding but not be consistent enough to be called top class.
Which brings me to England. I will never be fully behind the team until players are selected on merit rather than the team they play for.
Groucho(Quote)
Groucho to be fair we have always struggled in the premier league. We’ve turned into a team just fighting for survival. Players are very expensive so can we afford to be too picky. Yes Rafa’s here but this summer is massive in term’s of are we buying to stay safe or to do the best that we can. With Pardew it was 40 points and no cup’s job done. Carver it was worse and Steve was worser still. Rafa’s done great but will Ashley back him is another matter.
TERRY(Quote)
Anita’s alright compared to Colback, Siem De Jong they are the ones we need rid of most. We need state of the art training facilities like Stem pointed out. This is a problem that should of been sorted out ages ago. Injuries is a big problem so Rafa’s rotation policy might aslo help
TERRY(Quote)
It just goes to show how **** a manager Pardew really was, no offence Troy. He stuck with the same players regardless of results, performance’s etc. The team was knackered come Janaury.
TERRY(Quote)
New thread by me, including another terrible pun:
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2016/11/17/leeds-united-v-newcastle-united-dont-let-them-monk-us-off/
Enjoy
Andy The Magpie(Quote)
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2016/11/17/leeds-united-v-newcastle-united-dont-let-them-monk-us-off/comment-page-1/#comment-581223
New thread by Jake.
Shamrock(Quote)
Groucho – but then doesn’t that speak volumes. If the vast majority of teams in the PL are full of ‘good squad players’ – yet none of them came in for Anita – who only had a year left on his contract. He would have been an affordable purchase for a Swansea or Watford or any of the 3 going up, yet nobody (in England or abroad) came in for him.
I believe Gouffran is another who’s contract is up in the summer as well. He would be the same for me. Don’t dislike the guy & he’s doing a decent job at the moment, but will he do the biz in the PL.
I’m also SO pleased we didn’t hand Arrons a new lucrative contract as many on here were calling for. I was hounded for my view that the kid had to prove his fitness first. He would have been sat getting 25-30k or more a week if some had their way – waste of money & time to cut him loose now as well IMO.
Sharpy17(Quote)