Could James Perch have a fantastic future at Newcastle?

Well, we all love Colo, he's fantastic. I hate to start bad vibes just a couple of hours before a game, but perhaps it wont be too long before we need to start planning for a time without Colo.

He's not getting old yet, but if more of these injuries start creeping in, and as he hits the early/mid 30's, maybe he'll not be quite as useful as he is now.

I think Perch could be fantastic, and I think he could be a long term replacement for Colo. He's isn't as skillful as Colo, but he's got great aspects to him -

1. His pace. It's very rare you'll find a CB that has considerable Pace. Colo has a good burst of acceleration, but he's not quick over a distance. It's the same for most CB's. But Perch has fantastic pace for a CB. He's used it well to help us out at times.

2. His decision making. It's nearly always spot on. He reads the game well, he makes good decisions, and plays very well next to a bigger CB.

3. His tackling. He's a great slide tackler, and a good stand tackler. He's not as precise as Colo, but he knows when it's appropriate to go in and stick a foot in.

4. He's comfortable and neat on the ball - This is one of the things we love Colo for, and Perch has this ability. He's not as skillful as Colo, but he has great composure, speed and he can pass well.

5. Consistency - Like Colo, he's nearly always good, and rarely has a bad game. He's got a fantastic attitude, and despite all the criticism and being dropped for months and months, he worked hard on the training ground, and improved himself, and impressed the manager. He could be an inspiration to the players around him.

6. Versatility - CB is where he's at his best, but he can play anywhere across the back, if needed, and even in DM.

I don't see him being a legend, but maybe he could be a level above a cult hero.

 

Oh dear...

 

?

 

Man U will be signing him next after that glowing reference, does he actually have any weaknesses?!

 

Never a fan when he first arrived I have learnt to admire his guts in knuckling down to the boo boys. He has become a very useful member of the squad and will be our Mr. Versatility for years.
He will never replace Colo though.

 

I'm a fan, kept his head down and proved himself, lacked confidence when he first arrived, I felt for him at times, you could here the groans when his name was announced, massive improvement, happy for him.

 

Perch will get better for sure. He's a great fill in player but we will need a dominant (but ball playing) CB.

 

Totally agree, well done to the lad and pleased to be one of those who kept trying to tell everyone to get off the backs of the likes of him and Willo. Players never improve when given stick by their own fans but can improve or even perform above themselves when given support and encouragement.

 

Most of us whenever we saw Perch on the teamsheet we would . But over the past year or so he's turned us into his supporters. I am one of them now. Btw, did you guys see his no-look chip to setup Cisse? Great vision there!

 

Was immense last night. Some fantastic tackling, showed some neat skill to work the ball out of a tight area of 3 Everton players, showed some fantastic vision for that ball to Cisse. The transformation is almost complete. All he now needs is a goal

 

"he can play anywhere at the back"

He bloody well cant, Everton had a field day with him. At fault for Everton first goal and almost made two other massive **** ups.
He was much better when moved to midfield.
He has improved, but I would prefer to see him never in the back four.

 

He can play anywhere in the back four. He can't do a job vs Baines and Piennar by himself. Marveaux had a shocker, and didn't provide him with much aid.

This is why I hate it when Simmo is picked on, because Simmo has never had a great partner in front of him either.

Perch has played well at Fullback since he's improved, but he couldn't really do much yesterday, because Everton were totally raping us, and Perch was left to face Baines and Piennar by himself.

The defensive line as a whole failed to deal with that first goal, it wasn't just Perch.

If you said, "I'd prefer never to see him as a fullback", i'd understand, but what possible argument can you put forward to say he should never play as a CB?

He's been great there whenever he's played.

 

It was noticeable how much better he was at DM than RB - Likewise, Anita actually seemed more suited to the RB role - though he did have Guti protecting him.

 

I think he's best at DM! Tiotes great back up for Perch aswell

 

Repped a few on here.