Applause for the Willo and Simmo show...

Within all the (undertandable) delirium and praise for the most popular players, I wanted to take a chance to highlight a couple of NUFC lads that are traditionally unsung and undervalued.
I believe that both Danny Simpson and Mike Williamson have suffered some really shortsighted criticism at points this season and there seems to be a real swell opinion for having them replaced asap in the summer.
What I would stress is that we're in danger of getting too carried away and keen to upgrade the maybe 'less glamorous' guys, throwing out what has made us such a good, cohesive and harmonious team this year.

We've achieved some amazing things this season and it isn't done and dusted yet, but it's vital we give respect beyond just Coloccini, Jonas, Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Ba and Cisse.

Danny Simpson has been an ever-present this season and there's a good few that reckon this purely highlights our lack of squad depth, but that's simply not fair.
I'm not sure where the bad feeling has come from towards this lad, whether it's regarding his contract or not, but the abuse he's experienced sometimes on this forum and certainly on Twitter is a disgrace.
Personally I think he's been outstanding this season and there are plenty of stats to suggest he's been one of the best (if not THE best) right back in the Premier League. I just can't think of many better that I would want to swap him for and I'll be VERY disappointed if we let him go in the summer.
From what I've heard, he's amongst the lowest paid first team players and given his performances I can understand why he would feel aggrieved by not being fairly rewarded. Remember that if the lad is unsure of where he'll be next year or perhaps feels hurt by the club's value of him that he's still just getting on with the job and being totally professional.
Add to this that a few supporters have remarked about him being one of the most approachable and friendly players they've met, I think we should be careful of what we wish for in terms of scrapping talented, honest lads like him for perhaps more eye-catching signings. There are plenty who would have him back at Old Trafford!

Mike Williamson is another that is hugely underrated and undervalued. Most would fairly argue that he's below Coloccini and Steven Taylor in the selection stakes, which in terms of our current squad would make him second choice.
So what a fantastic guy to have to come in and do such a superb job this season! Yes he benefits from being beside Colo but when does a successful centre-back partnership not depend on each other?
Ask Fabricio and he'll say he relies just as much on Mike or Steve as they do him, and I'm sure Tim Krul would say he couldn't have had the season he's had without those TWO in front of him.
Williamson is another that wasn't signed for huge money, isn't a prima donna or troublemaker – just a hard working, honest and sturdy defender with much more ability and awareness than most afford him.

To think that in the summer we will inevitably strengthen the defensive positions and potentially sign more costly players that could replace these two is frightening as they'll need to be some signings.

Teams do not take the Premier League by storm like we have this season without being exceptional to a man, with everyone excelling all over the pitch.
These two have been as important and instrumental as the rest and I would just stress real caution when looking to hastily unpick what looks a very tight NUFC unit.

So for the record I'd like to say a big thank you to Danny Simpson and Mike Williamson in particular for a fabulous season – cheers lads for making us all proud, well done and I hope you stay!

 

Agree entirely. Especially about the abuse Simpson gets/got. Hideous way to treat your own when they've done nothing wrong other than make the occassional mistake

 

Never understood the Simmo haters. Then again, I don't think he's as good as you make out. I hope we keep hold of him and Willo as squad players for next season. We'll need them with European commitments etc.

 

Got to agree with this, never knock your own players, it won't do their confidence any good or make them play better. Look at poor Perchino and what he's gone through, yet he came on yesterday and got a fantastic block with his first touch of the ball.

 

I'm not a fan of Simmo at all. We can do a lot better and I feel that he thinks he is better than he is. Never booed a current player yet though and never will.

 

Simpson is bound to leave and to be honest given the amount of arse brains being horrid I don't blame him.

 

Simpson is a very good FULL BACK, meaning that the defensive aspect of his game is a lot better than the attacking. His crosses are often poor and he looks quite uncomfortable running with the ball, but he has put some marvellous defensive shifts in this season and the stats show that. He is more than worthy of staying here if he wants to. Realistically though I still think he is one of the players we will have to replace with better quality if we're to keep moving forward. Feel pretty ruthless saying that because I really like Danny.

 

exactly, however it's the corssing that people remember.

He is a good right back simple as that really.

 

I was miffed when Nolan left but in hindsight progress was Made, as I'm sure it will here.

 

First time posting in a while, but class article

Sat there reading it and couldn't disagree with a word said.

 

I agree. Willo is never gonna be any great shakes but he has done well. He is also a great team man. I've said all season I quite simply do not know where people are coming from with Simpson. He is ever present in a team sitting 4th. He has single handedly won us points this year with his commitment, goal line clearances and blocks. He is also young enough to still be improving and is looking better in possession all the time. His closing down has improved massively over the season. It was a key area of concern for a while but he has well and truly put that problem to rest. Just a cracking lad and good players. Him and Santon would be a perfectly balanced set of right full backs.