Why has he dipped massively? Why is he linked with a transfer every window yet never goes? Why does he never play? Why don't we just release him? Why? Why? Why?
You would think so but it's the only thing I can think of really he just never was the same after he left. I think they just clicked and that's a rare thing really As for colback he's proved he's useless
Id forgotten he was still here. I suspect that he has been kept around rather than released to bulk up the numbers, just in case we had an injury crisis. I also suspect that pure monitory greed has scuppered his various touted moves away from the club. He wont be missed from me and I blame Pardew completely for the situation
Knees are shot I reckon. Also in the huff after his 'dream' move to China didn't work out. Lost his desire, only wants money. Bad combo and the result is we are paying for a guy to sit about. We've had plenty over the years. Such a shame as he could have been great here. Cabaye made a terrible move too. As did Ba. HBA lost the plot. They'd never had it so good - if they'd stuck around and stuck together who knows. The ills of the modern footballer, grass is always greener, a lot of money is never enough. Yeah they backed themselves to be a hit at PSG and Chelsea in Ba and Cabayes case, wanted CL but most could see it wasn't going to happen.
I still maintain we where lucky as hell that season before cabaye move on. Tiote was a thug of a player but once he lost his fitness he had no quality to back it up.
I think he's just too slow now to be chosen even with the pace of what we have. He may be lacking hard work on the training pitch. I don't think he's left because he's on top money that other clubs won't match. So he's sitting around, and just making sure that the regular bank transfers are dropping into his current account. He had a couple of great seasons, but not for some time. He's history now.
He was a decent payer.. and I say was. Heart or legs or desire not in it now tho. Yea he got booked, but at least he was trying to get the ball/do something for the team . When on from could have been a really decent player. Sadly like so many others before him never did enough in a black n white shirt
Funnily enough this is similar to a conversation I had with my Dad over Xmas - we were discussing players in recent years who've left Newcastle to go onto "bigger and better things/clubs" and have actually achieved it. We both struggled to actually think of anyone...
Been rubbish for years and has a **** attitude, he shouldn't get anywhere near the team now, he's just a drain on finances now....but at least we got some good years out of him before he became a parasite, unlike Marcelino, Luque, Cort, De Jong etc. Colback working his way back to form, was very good at start of season and will get back to that. Colback better yesterday than vs Sheff Wed, defence was problem yesterday.
Think some of the criticism of Colback for Sheff Wed was a bit harsh - yes, not a great performance, but given that he'd been out for 5-6weeks and playing an unfamiliar role, maybe understandable... Definitely seemed better last night however I wonder if we'd be better with Ritchie through the middle in the Shelvey role and 2of Atsu / Yedlin / Gouff / Lazaar playing wide