NUFC Season 2010/2011 Review: Defence

Greetings.

Again this is on Newcastle United. This review will cover on defenders.

defence also win the game

Fabricio Coloccini - 2 goals
Appearances: PL 35, LC 1, FA 1
He looked good, apart from one or two blunders. A season in Coca Cola Championship has done wonders for him, helping him to adapt to EPL and to club which has been in crisis during 2008-2009 season. He was also one of the most consistent performers. Colo also bagged in important goals against Tottenham and Wigan. He got forward when he was needed and did not neglect his main task to protect the goal area. A low point for him is getting sent off after elbowing Bolton’s Johan Elmander in the 1-5 defeat.




Jose Enrique
Appearances: PL 36
The Spanish full back also benefited from Coca Cola Championship. His partnership with Jonas Gutierrez at the left side of Newcastle continued to flourish this season and together they became very significant for Newcastle attacks. He looked good either during defending or attacking by whipping crosses from wide left. However, Jose faded towards the end of the season due to transfer rumours to Liverpool and slight loss of form.

Jose: Is he staying or leaving?

Mike Williamson
Appearances: PL 28 (sub 1); LC 1(1), FA 1
Mike coped quite well with EPL in his first season playing at the highest level. The center back looks quite good, but he sometimes found beaten by fast and skillful attackers. Some fans are still debating whether he or Steven Taylor is more suited to partner Coloccini. However, he played for most of the season. He always got forward during set pieces but still awaiting for his first goal for Newcastle.


Danny Simpson
Appearances: PL 30, FA 1
The former Manchester United junior was also another player made a step up from Championship. He looked decent enough. However, he always found to be targeted by oppositions at the right side, which is considered weaker than the left side. He also tended to move backwards late into the penalty box which enabled the opposition to create goalscoring chances. Hopefully he will improve the next season.Steven Taylor - 3 goals
Appearances: PL 12 (2)
At the end of the season, he looked as one of the revived player after the appointment of Alan Pardew as the new manager. The local boy started the season with injury and found the first team chances limited due to the form of other centre backs. He finally got in the team after Coloccini and Williamson were both suspended after the Bolton game. He then signed a new five year deal which keeps him at the club until 2016. H. He always went forward during attacks, getting three goals in the last three games. He also played better defensively compared to the previous years. It is hoped that he will continue to improve the next season.

sol - over 500 appearances in EPL

Sol Campbell
Appearances: PL 4 (3), LC 1
The veteran defender signed up to add experience and cover to the defence. However, from his appearances, it is seen that his age finally caught up with him. His experiences however may be good for a club looking for cover.


James Perch
Appearances: PL 9 (4), LC 1, FA 1
The defender/midfielder signed in the summer as back up for defence and midfield. Perch started the season as the first choice right back due to injury to Danny Simpson. Another player tried to step up from Championship, he however looked out of place and struggled to cope with the level of Premier League. He booked in the first five league games. continuously.

the end of James Perch (no.14)

His own goal in home defeat against Stoke City signalled the end of his spell as the first choice player. He later played as left back in the defeat against Tottenham Hotspurs, in which he can be blamed for Aaron Lennon’s goal. He also played in FA Cup shock defeat at Stevenage. After that, he is restricted to substitute role towards the end of the season.


Tamas Kadar
Appearances: LC 2
The Hungarian youngster struggled with injury and fitness this season. He did appear during Carling Cup defeat against Arsenal and later he joined League One’s Huddersfield Town before injured again. He is able to play at centre back position and also left back, but he needs games to prove that he can play in the highest level.


James Tavernier
Appearances: LC 1
Young defender sent to Conference’s side Gateshead in January. Tavernier also played for NUFC during league cup victory at Accrington Stanley. He also made the substitute bench for some Premier League games due to injury and suspension of more senior defenders.


Ben Tozer
Another young defender in the squad. He was loaned out League Two’s Northampton Town in January to gain some experiences.


Conclusion:
There is still a lot to do for improvement. Reducing mistakes, improving concentrations and no more deflected goals please. New right back may be needed to provide competition to Danny Simpson. On the opposite flank, new left back should be signed either to provide back up to Jose Enrique or even replace him if he choose to move on.


Next Review: Midfielders