Captain Colo set for return

Another positive nugget for us to digest.
It's no secret he's a big miss when not playing.

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...-coloccini-set-for-tottenham-return-1-6214284


FABRICIO Coloccini was set to return to training today ahead of Newcastle United’s visit to White Hart Lane.


Coloccini has missed the club’s last four games with a groin injury suffered on international duty with Argentina.

But the 31-year-old is close to a comeback, and could return against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Asked about Coloccini’s fitness, United manager Alan Pardew said he “looks OK” ahead of the televised clash.

In Coloccini’s absence, Mike Williamson has partnered Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa in central defence.

Defender Steven Taylor is also close to a comeback from a hamstring injury, but the Spurs game could come too soon for him.

Meanwhile, striker Adam Armstrong and forward Haris Vuckic were on target for Newcastle’s Under-21s in their 6-2 defeat to Aston Villa at Burton last night.

Willie Donachie handed a England Under-16 international defender Kyle Cameron his reserves debut in the game.

 

surely stick with willo and MYM on last week's showing?
no massive fan of Willo but if you play well you should keep your spot. surely that needs to be the ethic preached at any club

 

Best game yet for Willo.

 

Hola chaps

If Colo is fit on the weekend what would your 2 CB's Pairing be? (I'd do a poll if i knew how)
I'd keep Maldiliamson and Yanga personally! But Colo is un drop-able to Pards so I think Yanga will get dropped!

Sorry if this has been done elsewhere!

 

There is another Colo thread at the moment.

 

My bad, if you can delete it please do

 

You'd need a mod to do that. Hacky might still be about.

 

You play well, you keep your place. I can see the dilemma in the captain being back, but Tiote's done better with the responsibility and the extra week will probably help Colo.
Too many times we've chucked someone in days after training ground returns from a lengthy lay off to see them break down again.

 

Fixed

 

Meh, I'd prefer to stick with Willo and MYM.

 

Sorry if Colo is fit he should play.

If Pardew sticks with Williamson and MYM and one of them has a shocker he'll be slated for having Colo on the bench. As Spurs press high we need players at the back that are comfortable on the ball so I'd go for Colo & MYM. Our game plan should be to sit deep and hit Spurs on the break as they don't score many as they squeeze all of the space out of the game (see their board for confirmation).

 

They've done a really good job, but as has been said, if Colo's fit he should get the call.

 

Colo/Willo. MYM is mainly Colo's understudy, Willo is Taylor's. Pards operates old skool - one no-nonsense CB, one ball player. MYM is Colo's natural successor.

 

Got to be Coloccini and Williamson, they played 2 and half games together and we conceded 1 goal, plus it was MYM who got sent off against Liverpool and cost us a victory there.

 

This - really think Williamson deserves a chance to retain his place - definitely been the better of him and MYM over the last few games.

 

Tough call. Willo and Colo but only if Colo is fully fit. Might be the way to use MYM anyway, to let him develop gradually.

 

Nice to have competition for a key position.

 

All the best teams have competition for every single position, this something we have to work towards.

 

Tell MA that.

 

Normally I'd agree that Williamson should keep his place.

However Spurs press high and play the ball on the ground, we therefore need our defenders to be quick and comfortable on the ball. Wlliamson is neither of these and playing him would be a mistake if Colo is fit.