United hoping for Cheick Tiote's comeback

Hope this is true, it's the kind of boost the team needs.
Would feel a bit more confident with Tiote back in to protect the back 4

From the Journal:

AFTER a weekend of dismal injury news, Newcastle United are hoping for the lift of seeing Cheick Tiote on the Darsley Park training pitches this morning.

There have been numerous false dawns since the Ivorian midfielder injured his knee in the run-up to October’s League Cup tie at Blackburn Rovers and with that in mind, the Magpies are reluctant to build up hopes again. But if Tioté were to take part in practice today, there could be a chance of him facing Norwich City at the weekend.

His return would be particularly well timed with a makeshift central defensive pairing to protect.

Steven Taylor underwent surgery on his Achilles yesterday, and may not play again this season. Newcastle are continuing to monitor Fabricio Coloccini, who had a scan on his groin yesterday. It would be a major surprise were the captain to maintain his ever-present record by lining up against the Canaries, although he has defied the odds once already this season, putting in an heroic performance at Manchester United the day after suffering back spasms in training.

To have lost one centre-back for the difficult trip to Carrow Road is unfortunate, to be without both would be bordering on a crisis for Newcastle.

Having tried and failed to sign Birmingham City’s Liam Ridgewell on August’s deadline day, the Magpies have only three senior central defenders and the other, Mike Williamson, is also injured.

The 28-year-old is making slow progress after ankle ligament damage suffered in August. Although manager Alan Pardew spoke yesterday about “accelerating” his recovery, Williamson is still only doing what the club describe as “very light” training, and will not join the rest of the group this week.


Versatile defender James Tavernier is on loan at League One Sheffield Wednesday, and he cannot be recalled until after Swansea City pay a visit to St James’ Park on December 17 – at the earliest.

By the time of Newcastle’s next game, at home to West Bromwich Albion the following Wednesday, Coloccini could well be fit for first-team action.

Tamas Kadar is therefore the club’s next available centre-back to partner James Perch against Norwich.

However, as the nearest the Hungarian youngster has got to Pardew’s first-team is unused substitute appearances against Tottenham Hotspur and Stevenage last season, others are likely to be asked to switch position first.

Full-backs Davide Santon, yet to start for the club after joining in the summer from Inter Milan, and Danny Simpson are leading candidates.

Having played the majority of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to Chelsea, Perch is adamant he is ready for his first Premier League start in just under a year.

“I’m ready to step in,” insisted the player who set up Dan Gosling’s goal at Manchester City.

“I’ve come on in the last couple of games, so it’s not as if I’ve been away from the first team for a while.

“I would never wish injury on anybody. It’s an absolute disaster that Coloccini and Taylor are injured, because they’ve played brilliantly.

“But I’ve got to come in now and step up to the plate.”

Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud insists he is ignoring rumours of a January bid from Newcastle and focusing on seeing out the season with Ligue 1 leaders Montpellier.

France has been a happy hunting ground for chief scout Graham Carr, and the 25-year-old’s form will not have escaped his attention.

With 12 goals in 15 games this season, twice-capped Giroud is the league’s top scorer.

“I am very happy with the start of the season,” he said. “I am in good form, in good physical condition, so I am lucky at the moment and enjoying my football.

“It is normal to be linked with clubs when you are scoring goals.

“I like the English Premier League. Newcastle are a big club, so who knows?

“But at the moment I am thinking about Montpellier and putting them on the European map at the end of the season.”

Valencia, Villarreal and Malaga have also been linked with the player.



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Simpson-----Santon------Tiote----Raylor

Would be my back 4

 

Simpson Santon Perch Raylor

Obertan Tiote Guthrie Cabaye Gutierez

Ba

Give the CM a bit more of a defensive side to protect the back 4 but still enough going forward

 

Simpson Santon **ME** Raylor

Obertan Tiote Guthrie Cabaye Gutierez

Ba

I'm a striker by nature but i'm better than Perch...****, Stephen Hawking is better than Perch!

 

With Tiote fit I'd definitely put him back into the side, no idea how to fit him, Cabaye, Guthrie, Ben Arfa and Jonas though. Maybe he could play as an emergency CB.

 

I'd rather play Perch CB! Tiote's style of play would be very dangerous around the box.

His physical nature would very likely give away a pen.

 

You need 2 CBs though Tash, and Perch is definitely one of them. It's not ideal but neither is Simpson or Santon at CB.

 

I would also go with this if Tiote is fit. I know he can be a bit rash in the tackle but he is a clever enough player to realise he is playing in a different role and will have to adapt his style slightly!!

 

People need to realise that Perch is definitely starting, so it's just a matter of who partners him.

 

I realise that mate, I just don't think its the correct decision.

 

How about just play Simmo or Santon CB and have Tiote give them a lot of support?

-------------------Ba-------------------------

-----------------Ben Arfa-------------------------

---Jonas---------Guthrie----------------Cabaye---

------------------Tiote--------------------------

Raylor-----Santon------Perch----------Simpson

------------------Krul--------------------------

lol this is hard! >: (

Anyway if we play Tiote, he could act like a supporting CB, but also go a bit more forward up the pitch when we need him.

 

It's a bit harsh on Perch because before Saylor went off, the game remained at 1-0 and Perch did quite well against Drogba at times.

Santon has never played CB and Tiote's style of play isn't suitable for CB. He will give away a lot of free kicks and possibly a pen.

 

Whoever we play at CB will have massive problems playing there, it's really between Santon and Simpson.

 

Anchor man, Champ Man 2 style. You can't play Tiote at centre half, he's not that type of player. Perchy plus Kadar/Santon, if Tiotes available he plays DM and covers the back 4 as usual. I'd be delighted if he's back.

 

What about Smudger at CB for Norwich. Good in the air,aggressive in the tackle and he ****e everywhere else,might do a job??

 

I'm pretty sure when we signed Santon he was describe as a player that can play anywhere across the back for, but is a prefered LB.

Just cause he hasn't played CB for us doesn't mean he can't do a job there.

As for Perch, the lad is the only other player we have who can fit in at CB. With Tiote in front of the back four (If fit) to protect them and take the pressure off them should hopefully make it an easier game for them.

 

I'm not sure I'm up to it, severely lacking match fitness and havent even trained with the team

 

Im sure you will still be as good/better than Perchy???

 

Well yes, but my lack of pace is going to be an issue

 

Keep out of the Wellwood for a while and you'll do just fine!