Vurnon Anita - Forgotten man?

I've been thinking for a while that one of the biggest 'casualties' of Pardew's love in with Jonas and the arival of Sissoko has been Anita.
The lad seemed to adapt really well to the first team and was growing in stature.
It must be the most frustrating thing to come in for big money... do well.... then be sidelined.
I feel for the lad and really hope he get's more involvement next year as he is meant to be a model pro and a top bloke to boot.

http://www.themag.co.uk/the-mag-articles/vurnon-anita-forgotten-man/

Arriving with little, if any, fanfare the £6.75m acquisition of Vurnon Anita from Ajax turned out be Newcastle’s only senior signing of last summer.

With a glowing reference from Frank De Boer, expectations were placed on the Dutchman who was much praised for his technical ability and versatility. However, Anita has only made 17 league starts this season and since the influx of new talent in January, it seems that he has become a forgotten man on Tyneside.

Like many foreign players, Anita struggled in the early stages of the campaign to adjust to the pace and intensity of the Premier League. Gael Bigirimana was handed his first start for the club in the fixture at Reading ahead of him due to Pardew’s fears that he would struggle to cope with the tempo of the game.

However, in the injury-stricken and gloomy winter months to come, Anita began to excel in a central role in the absence of Cabaye and Tiote. His improving performances were not being overlooked, despite the horrendous sequence of results.

In the 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City, Pardew labelled him as the team’s best player on the day. Fans will recall the exquisite volley scored away at Club Brugge as perhaps Anita’s finest moment in a Newcastle shirt to date. Along with the returning Marveaux, the Dutchman was one of the few bright lights in a torrid winter for the club.

Despite this noticeable upturn in his performances, the return of Cabaye and Tiote from injury and the African Cup of Nations respectively, saw Anita relegated to the substitutes’ bench once again. The signing of Moussa Sissoko seems to have pushed him further down the pecking order. Even utility man James Perch seems to be ahead of him, judging by recent fixtures. Since the turn of the year, Anita has only made five league starts and his diminished role in Pardew’s plans doesn’t seem likely to change anytime soon.

Is this justified?

While he was never likely to become a fan favourite such as Ben Arfa or Cabaye, it’s baffling to see a player like Anita constantly on the sidelines when the team has been lacking composure in possession all season long. Industrious and comfortable on the ball, he seems the most logical replacement for Tiote in the first eleven.

With the Ivorian’s slump in form this season, maybe Anita even deserves to have been promoted to a starting spot. However, standing at a diminutive 5’5, perhaps he lacks the stature to truly be a combative defensive midfielder, especially in such a physical league.

Maybe he is an unfortunate victim of Pardew’s frustrating reliance on the long ball.

It is safe to say that Anita has not had the impact everyone hoped for this season.

However, it is very debatable whether a player of his ability deserves to have become such a forgotten figure at the club.

 

When he plays the odd game now and then he doesn't look that great, but when he gets games consistently, he's very good.

He should be getting games, but I guess Pards favours Sissoko.

IMO we should try playing this -

Marv------Gouff/Cisse-------Ben Arfa

-----------Cabaye--------------

--------Perch-----Anita--------

Haidara----MYM--Saylor----Debuchy

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

Bring Sissoko on late

 

Always been quite pleased with Anita's showings, could always give Jonas a rest.

 

Don't make Pardew cry.

 

I'd have him peeling onions for the rest of his life if I had my way.

 

Anita was a Graham Carr signing so Pardew does not fancy him. Speaking to Ajax fans they are absolutely baffled that he can not get into our team.

 

He is too weak and small for the epl
As a midfield and his padding ain't too
Sharp.
Fingers crossed he will improve next season as the lad has ability

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The issue of height would only be a problem if everypne else in that team was a similar height.

 

Cracking player, scandalous that he's constantly over looked. He's pretty much the only player that hasn't been injured and yet he's still made the fewest number of starts.

Quite baffling really!

 

Say what ?

Whose signings are Sissoko, Debuchy, Mbiwa, Cabaye, etc ?

I think the comment on his height and strength are the main factor. He is talented and I like him, and have hopes for the future, but at the moment I would start Perch ahead of him against any physical epl side

 

looks very good at right back!

Next season tho: Cabaye, Tiote, Sissoko, Anita.

thats 4 really good players to rotate around the three midfield positions. Not forgetting Perch to cover the inevitable injuries they will pick up.

 

I would rather Anita play ahead of Tiote all day long.

 

This season's Tiote, I agree. I keep hoping we'll see last season's Tiote sometime.

 

If (when) Tiote plays on the weekend he will do end up:

1/ Giving away a pen

2/ Giving the ball away in vital areas which will lead to Liverpool goal

3/ Needless stupid fouls that will give Liverpool a goal in some way

4/ Getting himself sent off

5/ Possibly all of the above

 

I would be prepared to bet he won't do all of the above, but otherwise it's hard to disagree

 

At 6.7 million the choice should definitely be, bring him into a system or sell him on. If we do neither he will be wasted and will miss out on a key development period and if he is as good as I think he could be then having Jonas Gutierrez playing ahead of him is really a great shame.

 

Agree. We don't have the funds to support £6.7m 'squad players'. He was one of Derek's 'purples' and I would have him in ahead of both Jonas & Tiote based on performances this season. He should be given an extended run in the team.

 

Agree with this, i think he has done ok this season and like many foreign players will look nearer his best in his second season. Could be a top player for us next season. Sick of this height bollocks mind, as i have said many times on here check out the height of Xavi, Messi, Iniesta or even in the EPL Baines. EPL or not i would snap your hand off for those lads.

 

With Anita, Benni, Cabaye & Marv in the same team, we might actually play some 'football'.

 

This