James Tomkins - Hands Off ;)

Tomkins wins lots of headers and reads the game brilliantly. He has come right through our academy and has always been highly thought of. Pardew isnt stupid, he knows Tomkins from his time at West Ham.

But hey, if you guys dont want him, we will be delighted to keep him

 

At the end of the day I don't think we're looking for a replacement for Stevie or Colo, we just need backup. Williamson is excellent cover IMHO, and acceptable as a starter, so if this lad is about the same that would be fine by me!

Don't see why opinions have changed on Willo, I still think he's great! More than anything he compliments Colos style beautifully.

 

I'd rather Liam Ridgewell than Tomkins.

 

Surely Tomkins isn't THAT bad!

 

Two words: Yanga-Mbiwa

 

I'm with beardface on this. I'd rather have Ridgewell too.

 

I'd have Ridgewell on the basis he can play CB and LB and is proven to be decent in the PL.

 

This. Ridgewell is nothing special but he'd put in a fit for us and he'd be decent cover. I wouldn't say no to Tomkins either though he could do a job as cover as well but I'd prefer Ridgewell he has more prem experience. I'd like to see us sign Yanga-Mbiwa in the summer when Saylor is fit again because I'm sceptical about foreign players just being chucked into the team and expected to preform without any settling in time. See Coloccini's first season here. At least if we had Colo and Saylor starting Mbiwa would have time to adopt to the English game a bit like we have done with Santon. Having said that though Tiote and Cabaye settled instantly so maybe Mbwia would aswell. It's a bit to much of a risk for me though in January. I'd prefer an premiership experienced CB to cover for now. Personally I like the Williamson - Coloccini combination but we still need cover for them.