Newcastle’s last line of defence!
Posted on October 26th, 2009 | 45 Comments |
We’re almost a third of the way through our new season in The Championship and surely the players at our disposal must be half-decent seeing as we’re sitting pretty at the top of the table?
Clearly, some of us have different ideas about the quality in our squad and argue that our position is as much to do with luck and the lack of opposition. I’d probably agree with some of that but you can only beat what’s in front of you (to coin a well-worn cliche). Mind you, we could be here all night talking about the entire squad, so I’ll split it out a little.
For what it’s worth here’s my own term review of the the keepers and defenders. I’ve only included the lads who have played at least a couple of games so far –
Stevie Harper – Harps has waited long enough in the shadows of former custodians and particularly big pal Shay Given before we sold him to Moneybags City. Not many people have a bad word to say about him and his professional approach to the game and in the past, when called upon, just came in and did the job. I think he’s quite a calming influence on the defence and they look more organised this season so perhaps the communication is getting better. Pulled off some good saves already this season but I still think he looks a bit suspect on crosses and jeez those ones he ‘watches go wide’…….. rating so far – 7/10
Tim Krul – The young Dutch stopper waited patiently, or at least he was doing until he had a bit of a rant about Hughton and his lack of chances. Has looked fairly solid and confident and definitely looks like a good shot stopper but doesn’t look like the finished article yet and considering experience and everything else, probably needs to recognise Harper is the stronger of the two at the moment…….. rating so far – 6/10
Ryan Taylor – Considering his uncanny knack of scoring against us, I think we all looked forward to seeing Taylor delivering his famed final/dead balls and creating chance after chance and scoring freekick after freekick. It never really worked out that way initially, but in fairness, the quality is starting to come and even though he’s been invariably deployed in the right back role, in which he admits he’s happiest, he gets forward well to support. Lacks a little pace at times which can leave him exposed with nippier opposition…….. rating so far – 7/10
Danny Simpson – I guess, inevitably, the fact we got him on loan from Manchester United meant there was the hope that he’d have ability. Of course there was the old argument that he wasn’t being loaned out for nothing and Ferguson is no fool. Whether expectations were high, I’m not sure, but for me he’s been solid. And that’s probably about it. Solid and dependable, nothing spectacular, but then is spectacular what you’re looking for in a defender? Probably not……… rating so far – 6/10
Fabricio Coloccini – Who’dathunk that a few months into the season we’d be missing Coloccini? Not me. And yet it’s happened. He forged a fairly formidable partnership with Stevie Taylor before picking up an injury and with the drop in standard and the pace not quite so quick, I think it’s fair to say he can get away with more this term. However, I also think he’s gotten to grips with the English game a bit more and seems steadier and more determined. Long may it continue. When he gets fit again……… rating so far – 7/10
Steven Taylor – As mentioned, has developed a good understanding with Colo and is also a big miss. Lion-hearted, 100%er and local lad to boot, we can probably forgive him, his tendencies to overact when struck on the arm by a ball. His natural pace and strength are much more effective at this level where refined defending isn’t necessarily needed but has looked composed on the ball. We’ll look much better without a doubt when he’s back……… rating so far – 8/10
Jose Enrique – Jose has always been someone I rated highly despite some of his obvious flaws, particularly his tendency to overplay it in our third. His strength and pace are phenomenal really and he makes sheperding the ball out of play look so easy. I think I may nickname him Batfink, because his wings are like a shield of steel. Is a massive shining light in a squad that teeters around average. Never flustered and has carried the ball to great effect this season. If only Gutierrez would play the easy ball more often, we’d get much more joy down the left with Jose whipping them in……… rating so far – 9/10
Zurab Khizanishvili – Another loanee defender, this time from Blackburn Rovers and started well but then showed signs of getting caught for pace a little. Not convinced it’s helped having to chop and change his defensive partner though. Looks nice and tidy on the ball and carries it out of defence and moves it sharply which is a refreshing change. Evidently, he doesn’t mind a bit of argy bargy, so I’m sure he’ll fit in well around here……… rating so far – 7/10
Tamas Kadar – Saw a bit of him in pre-season, where despite all the inevitable changes throughout, he looked nice and steady. Played well the other day but had a couple of lapses which might have been more costly. Also gave the ball away for the Doncaster goal. Definitely one for the future though if he keeps progressing……… rating so far – 6/10
Ben Tozer – Just scrapes in because of my ‘games’ rule but to be honest I haven’t seen much of him though he’s clearly highly-rated. Difficult to say much more and I’ll give him a six for kicks but hard to rate him just yet……… rating so far – 6/10
Anyway, enough of my waffle.
What do you lot think?
NUFCBlog Author: bowburnmag
bowburnmag has written 234 articles on this blog.
hmm i’d say simpsons been fairly good and deserves a 7 especially for willingness to play out of position. Zurab not so sure on that, hes looked dodgy in a few games recently, maybe he’ll be better alongside a proper experienced defender like colo or saylor rather than makeshift in simpson or rookie in kadar