What has Captain Coloccini brought to the Newcastle armband?
Posted on October 12th, 2011 | 43 Comments |
It’s probably debateable whether Keegan even wanted him in, but I don’t remember there being too much dissent when he transferred.
We all knew of him through his days playing for Argentina, so we expected big things from him. His first season started really well, putting in some top class, assured performances, starting away at Man. U. in the league. It was clear that he’d be a great acquistion. But as that ‘ill fated’ season progressed, things started to go wrong ‘upstairs’ at the Toon, all of which well documented, so I won’t go there. Suffice to say, Keegan ended up leaving, the club went into turmoil, a series of caretaker managers presiding over the drop down to the Championship by the end of that chaotic season.
After the “deadwood” was shipped out, the players that stayed got their heads around plying their trade one league down. Some of our ‘better’ players hung around, when no doubt they could have moved on to top league clubs, Fabricio Coloccini being one of them.
He had lost his way somewhat in the second half of ‘that’ season, but as a player still getting used to Premier League football, it would be unfair to point the finger at him. It must have been a really tough time for the lad; new country, new language, new league, new style, several new managers all culminating in what must have been a soul destroying season.
In the following Championship season, he started to really get to grips with the English game. You could tell that the guy was no quitter, he just seemed to roll up his sleeves and get on with it. For me, he started to show a passion for the game, a professionalism and detirmination that would endear him to the Geordie fans. He never once came across as a complainer, even though he must have been non-plussed by all that had gone before. He played a great season, helping to drag us back the ‘big league’ in double quick time. Having a few other Spanish speakers around him no doubt helped him re-settle, but I got the feeling that he wasn’t gonna let a lousy stinking relegation stop him succeeding with the Toon.
As we got back to the Premier League a few media outlets threw stories out here claiming he may leave and move back to Spain. I never once believed any of it! Again, he formed a great partnership, firstly with Mike Williamson, then Steven Taylor. At once creating a previously unseen implacable coolness about the Newcastle defence, while also instilling the same calmness into his younger defensive partners. I think it’s fair to say that both Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson particularly have learned a lot from Colo. There seems to be a level of understanding and organisation that this term has brought about the moniker of ‘meanest defence in the league’ so far.
The lad, for me, was ‘nailed on’ as the natural replacement as Captain when Kevin Nolan left, although there were some worries from fans that he may not be able to communicate his orders as well as a natural English speaker. It was a brave decision, based on that, by Alan Pardew to reward his great form, undoubted experience, seemingly unlimited coolness under pressure and above all, ever presence. Colo always plays!
It looks as though his captaincy has brought with it a new era and a level-headedness to proceedings at the club. Many were in fear of what might happen when Captain material like Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton moved on, but i just knew Fabricio Coloccini would step up to the plate and not let us down as he was ready for the new challenge of becoming Newcastle United’s Captain.
All we need now is for him to sign an extension to his contract. Long may he reign!
Howay the Lads!
Didn’t he play every league game for the whole of his first season after doing exactly the same for his previous club the season before?
He’s a machine who could easily play further up the pitch as shown with his recent form.